Plug-in power adapters and methods of implementing a plug-in power adapter

1. A plug-in power adapter comprising:

a plug having a plurality of prongs, wherein a first prong of the plurality of prongs is adapted to receive power;

a transformer coupled to receive the power from the first prong of the plurality of prongs, wherein the transformer generates a power signal;

a control circuit coupled to the transformer to receive the power signal;

a surface adapted to receive a module;

a plurality of contact elements on the surface adapted to receive a module and accessible by a user of the plug-in power adapter; and

a wireless communication circuit adapted to receive signals using a wireless communication protocol;

wherein a contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal; and

wherein the control circuit is adapted to receive the control signal from a module by way of the contact element of the plurality of contact elements.

2. The plug-in power adapter of claim 1 wherein the control circuit enables a pairing of the plug-in power adapter and a module that is adapted to be removably attached to the plug-in power adapter.

3. The plug-in power adapter of claim 1 wherein the control circuit enables an authentication of a module that is adapted to be removably attached to the plug-in power adapter.

4. The plug-in power adapter of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication circuit is adapted to provide a wireless connection using a short range wireless communication protocol.

5. The plug-in power adapter of claim 4 wherein the wireless communication circuit is adapted to provide a wireless connection using a local wireless communication protocol.

6. The plug-in power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a module that is removably attached to the plug-in power adapter, wherein the module comprises a sensor.

7. The plug-in power adapter of claim 6 wherein a control signal is provided to the plug-in power adapter in response to a detection of the at least one of a motion and an ambient light level.

8. A plug-in power adapter comprising:

a plug having a plurality of prongs, wherein a first prong of the plurality of prongs is adapted to receive power;

a transformer coupled to receive the power from the first prong of the plurality of prongs, wherein the transformer generates a power signal;

a control circuit coupled to the transformer to receive the power signal;

a wireless communication circuit coupled to the control circuit;

a surface adapted to receive a module; and

a plurality of contact elements coupled to the control circuit and on the surface of the plug-in power adapter adapted to receive a module;

wherein a first contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to provide a power signal;

wherein a second contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal; and

wherein the control circuit is adapted to receive the control signal from a module by way of the second contact element.

9. The plug-in power adapter of claim 8 wherein the wireless communication circuit is adapted to receive signals using a short range wireless communication protocol.

10. The plug-in power adapter of claim 9 wherein the wireless communication circuit is adapted to receive signals using a local wireless communication protocol.

11. The plug-in power adapter of claim 8 further comprising a module having a second plurality of contact elements adapted to be coupled to the plurality of contact elements.

12. The plug-in power adapter of claim 11 wherein the module comprises a sensor for detecting at least one of a motion and an ambient light level.

13. The plug-in power adapter of claim 11 wherein the module comprises a motion detector, and the control signal is provided to the plug-in power adapter by way of the second contact element of the plurality of contact elements in response to a detection of motion.

14. The plug-in power adapter of claim 11 wherein the module comprises an ambient light detector, and the control signal is provided to the plug-in power adapter by way of the second contact element of the plurality of contact elements in response to a detection of an ambient light.

15. A method of implementing a plug-in power adapter, the method comprising:

configuring a first prong of a plurality of prongs of a plug to receive power;

providing a transformer adapted to receive the power and to generate a power signal;

coupling a control circuit to the transformer;

coupling a wireless communication circuit of the plug-in power adapter to the control circuit of the plug-in power adapter, wherein the wireless communication circuit is adapted to receive wireless communication signals according to a wireless communication protocol;

providing a surface adapted to receive a module and having a plurality of contact elements; and

coupling a contact element of the plurality of contact elements, accessible on the plug-in power adapter, to the control circuit;

wherein the contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal; and

wherein the control circuit is adapted to receive the control signal from a module by way of the contact element of the plurality of contact elements.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing an input portion on the plug-in power adapter, wherein the input portion enables an operation of the plug-in power adapter.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising pairing the plug-in power adapter to a module that is removably attached to the plug-in power adapter, wherein the pairing enables an operation of the module with the plug-in power adapter.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving a module having a second plurality of contact elements, wherein the plurality of contact elements is coupled to the second plurality of contact elements.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the module comprises a sensor adapted to detect at least one of a motion and an ambient light level.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the module comprises a display for displaying a time.