IP Library Granted Patent US 11,974,198
Granted Patent B2
US 11,974,198 · App. 17/947,896 · Granted Apr 30, 2024

Analyze power outlet having availability notification

Inventors: Nelson Bonilla (Shelton, CT); Shadi Alex AbuGhazaleh (Guilford, CT)
Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
H04W4/12H01R13/453H01R13/4534H01R13/641H01R13/701H04B3/546H01R24/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,974,198
App. No.
17/947,896
Granted
Apr 30, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A notification system including an outlet and a notification center. The outlet is configured to output a signal indicative of the availability of the outlet. The notification control unit is configured to receive the signal, determine availability of the outlet based on the signal, and output information corresponding to the availability of the outlet to at least one selected from a group consisting of a computer, a smart phone, and a tablet.

Claims (34)

1. A notification system comprising:

an outlet configured to output a signal indicative of the availability of the outlet; and

a notification control unit configured to

receive the signal,

determine availability of the outlet based on the signal, and

output information corresponding to the availability of the outlet to at least one selected from a group consisting of a computer, a smart phone, and a tablet,

wherein the information corresponding to the availability of the outlet is included in a map accessed by the at least one selected from the group consisting of a computer, a smart phone, and a tablet.

2. The notification system of claim 1 , wherein the signal is output via at least one selected from the group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

3. The notification system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is at least one selected from the group consisting of a duplex outlet, a low-voltage outlet, and a universal serial bus (USB) outlet.

4. The notification system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet includes a switch configured to determine a state of the outlet.

5. The notification system of claim 4 , wherein the switch outputs a second signal to the electronic processor corresponding to the state of the outlet.

6. The notification system of claim 4 , wherein the outlet further includes a shutter configured to activate the switch.

7. The notification system of claim 1 , wherein the map illustrates a site in which the outlet is located.

8. A method of providing an availability status of an outlet of an electrical receptacle, the method comprising:

outputting, from the electrical receptacle, a signal indicative of the availability of the outlet; and

displaying, via at least one selected from a group consisting of a computer, a smart phone, and a tablet, a map illustrating an availability status of the outlet.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of outputting, from the electrical receptacle, the signal is performed via a wired or wireless connection.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the electrical receptacle is at least one selected from the group consisting of a duplex outlet, a low-voltage outlet, and a universal serial bus (USB) outlet.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the signal is output when a switch is activated.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein a shutter activates the switch.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the map illustrates a site in which the outlet is located.

14. A notification system comprising:

an outlet configured to output a signal indicative of the availability of the outlet; and

a notification control unit configured to

receive the signal,

determine availability of the outlet based on the signal, and

output information corresponding to the availability of the outlet to at least one selected from a group consisting of a computer, a smart phone, and a tablet,

wherein the notification system associates the information corresponding to the availability of the outlet with location information corresponding to the outlet.

15. The notification system of claim 14 , wherein the outlet is at least one selected from the group consisting of a duplex outlet, a low-voltage outlet, and a universal serial bus (USB) outlet.

16. The notification system of claim 14 , wherein the signal is output via a wireless connection.

17. The notification system of claim 14 , wherein the signal is output when a switch is activated.

18. The notification system of claim 17 , wherein a shutter activates the switch.

19. The notification system of claim 14 , wherein data indicating the type of outlet is associated with the location information.

20. The notification system of claim 14 , wherein the map indicates a type of outlet for each outlet site.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2023
From: BONILLA, NELSON; ABUGHAZALEH, SHADI ALEX
To: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 062426/0206 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17081646 · Oct 27, 2020
Continuation 15384896 · Dec 20, 2016
Provisional Application 62273183 · Dec 30, 2015
Related Publication 20230011338A1 · Jan 12, 2023
Cited By (1)
US 12,342,249