Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments relate generally to a power-saving plug, a power-saving plug set, and a method for operating the power-saving plug.

Background

[0002] Electrical devices consume electrical energy whilst plugged into a live power supply line. The electrical energy consumed by an electrical device when it is not in use, for example, when the electrical device is in a stand-by mode, may be referred to as phantom energy usage. It is estimated that between 5 % to 15 % of an average home owner's electrical bill is due to phantom energy usage. In addition, phantom energy usage may also reduce the lifespan of an electrical device. Accordingly, power-saving devices that reduce or eliminate phantom energy usage by an electrical device are desirable. Further, it would be desirable for such power-saving devices to not introduce new hardware into commonly used electrical devices that would require reconfiguration and redesign of such commonly used electrical devices.

Summary

[0003] In various embodiments, a power-saving plug is provided, including: a learning selector configured to set the power-saving plug between a learning mode and a monitoring mode; an input terminal configured to be connected to an external power supply line; an output terminal configured to be connected to an electrical device; a re- activatable interrupt device electrically connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; a detection device configured to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal; a memory device configured to store a learning-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power- saving plug is set into the learning mode; and a comparator configured to compare the stored learning-mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power-saving plug is set into the monitoring mode; wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal based on a result of the comparison.

[0004] In various embodiments, a power-saving plug set is provided, including: a learning selector configured to set the power-saving plug set between a learning mode and a monitoring mode; an input terminal configured to be connected to an external power supply line; an output terminal configured to be connected to an electrical device; a re-activatable interrupt device electrically connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; a detection device configured to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal; a memory device configured to store a learning-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power-saving plug set is set into the learning mode; a comparator configured to compare the stored learning-mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power-saving plug set is set into the monitoring mode, wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal based on a result of the comparison; a receiver configured to receive an activation signal, and electrically connected to the re-activatable interrupt device, wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver; a housing, wherein the learning selector, the input terminal, the output terminal and the receiver are mounted on at least one external face of the housing, and wherein the re-activatable interrupt device, the detection device, the memory device and the comparator are contained within the housing; and a remote control configured to transmit the activation signal to the receiver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 shows an arrangement between an electrical device and an external power supply line according to an embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 shows a power-saving plug according to a first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 shows a power-saving plug according to a second embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 shows a power-saving plug according to a third embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 shows a power-saving plug set according to an embodiment. [0011] Figure 6 shows a method for operating the power-saving plug according to a first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 shows a method for operating the power-saving plug according to a second embodiment.

Detailed Description

[0013] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practised. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an arrangement between an electrical device and an external power supply line according to an embodiment. Electrical devices 102, such as a television, a stereo, a computer, etc., consume electrical energy whilst plugged into a live power supply line 104. The electrical energy consumed by an electrical device 102 when it is not in use, for example, when the electrical device 102 is in a stand-by mode, such as when a television is switched on but not displaying images or video, or when a computer is in standby, may be referred to as phantom energy usage. It is estimated that between 5 % to 15 % of an average home owner's electrical bill is due to phantom energy usage. In addition, phantom energy usage may also reduce the lifespan of an electrical device 102 by an average of 15 %. Accordingly, power-saving devices that reduce or eliminate phantom energy usage by electrical devices 102 are desirable. Further, it would be desirable for such power-saving devices to not introduce new hardware into commonly used electrical devices 102 that would require reconfiguration and redesign of such commonly used electrical devices 102, or that would require users to purchase a new set of commonly used electrical devices 102 just to benefit from the cost-savings afforded to them by the use of power-saving devices.

[0015] Consequently, various exemplary embodiments provide a power-saving plug for reducing or eliminating phantom power usage. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

[0016] Various exemplary embodiments provide a power-saving plug including: a learning selector configured to set the power-saving plug between a learning mode and a monitoring mode; an input terminal configured to be connected to an external power supply line; an output terminal configured to be connected to an electrical device; a re- activatable interrupt device electrically connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; a detection device configured to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal; a memory device configured to store a learning-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power- saving plug is set into the learning mode; and a comparator configured to compare the stored learning-mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power-saving plug is set into the monitoring mode; wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal based on a result of the comparison.

[0017] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may further include: a receiver configured to receive an activation signal, and electrically connected to the re-activatable interrupt device, wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver.

[0018] In an embodiment, the receiver may be further configured to receive the activation signal including at least one of an optical signal and a radio frequency signal.

[0019] In an embodiment, the detection device may be configured to determine the learning-mode current value for a first predetermined time duration after the power- saving plug is set into the learning mode.

[0020] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device may be further configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal after the detection device has determined, and the memory device has stored, the learning- mode current value.

[0021] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device may be further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver. [0022] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal based on the result of the comparison, the result of the comparison being the stored learning- mode current value being substantially equal to the monitoring-mode current value.

[0023] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal when the stored learning-mode current value is substantially equal to the monitoring-mode current value for a second predetermined time duration.

[0024] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device may include an electrical relay.

[0025] In an embodiment, the detection device may include a current transformer.

[0026] In an embodiment, the detection device further may include a signal amplification circuit.

[0027] In an embodiment, the comparator may include a microcontroller unit.

[0028] In an embodiment, the output terminal may include a pass-through socket.

[0029] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may further include: an electrical power rectification circuit configured to convert an alternating voltage and an alternating current into a DC voltage and a DC current, respectively; wherein at least one of the DC voltage and the DC current supplies electrical power to at least one of the comparator, the memory device, and the re-activatable interrupt device. [0030] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may further include: an external power supply line; and an electrical device configured to be set into a standby mode and an operating mode; wherein the power-saving plug is connected to the external power supply line and the electrical device through the input terminal and the output terminal, respectively.

[0031] In an embodiment, the detection device may be further configured to determine the learning-mode current value drawn from the output terminal when the power-saving plug is set into the learning mode and when the electrical device is set into the standby mode.

[0032] In an embodiment, the detection device may be further configured to determine the monitoring-mode current value drawn from the output terminal when the power- saving plug is set into the monitoring mode and when the electrical device is set into the operating mode.

[0033] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may further include: a housing; wherein the learning selector, the input terminal and the output terminal are mounted on at least one external face of the housing, and wherein the re-activatable interrupt device, the detection device, the memory device and the comparator are contained within the housing.

[0034] Various exemplary embodiments provide a power-saving plug set including: a learning selector configured to set the power-saving plug between a learning mode and a monitoring mode; an input terminal configured to be connected to an external power supply line; an output terminal configured to be connected to an electrical device; a re- activatable interrupt device electrically connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; a detection device configured to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal; a memory device configured to store a learning-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power- saving plug is set into the learning mode; a comparator configured to compare the stored learning-mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value, determined by the detection device, and drawn from the output terminal when the power-saving plug is set into the monitoring mode, wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal based on a result of the comparison; a receiver configured to receive an activation signal, and electrically connected to the re-activatable interrupt device, wherein the re-activatable interrupt device is further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver; a housing, wherein the learning selector, the input terminal, the output terminal and the receiver are mounted on at least one external face of the housing, and wherein the re-activatable interrupt device, the detection device, the memory device and the comparator are contained within the housing; and a remote control configured to transmit the activation signal to the receiver.

[0035] The further features described above with reference to the power-saving plug are equally applicable, and hereby restated, in respect of the power-saving plug set.

[0036] Various exemplary embodiments provide a method for operating the power- saving plug. [0037] Various exemplary embodiments provide a computer program product, which, when executed by a computer, makes the computer perform a method for operating the power-saving plug.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a power-saving plug 200 according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may include a learning selector 202 configured to set the power-saving plug 200 between a learning mode and a monitoring mode. For example, the learning selector 202 may be a switch that sets the power-saving plug 200 into one of the two aforementioned modes, a button that sets the power-saving plug 200 into one of the two aforementioned modes, a circuit that sets the power-saving plug 200 into one of the two aforementioned modes, or any such device configured to set the power-saving plug 200 between a learning mode and a monitoring mode. As used herein, a "circuit" may be understood as any kind of a logic implementing entity, which may be special purpose circuitry or a processor executing software stored in a memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in an embodiment, a "circuit" may be a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit such as a programmable processor, e.g. a microprocessor (e.g. a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). A "circuit" may also be a processor executing software, e.g. any kind of computer program, e.g. a computer program using a virtual machine code such as e.g. Java. Different circuits can thus also be implemented by the same component, e.g. by a processor executing two different programs.

[0039] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include a display device 204 configured to indicate if the learning selector 202 has set the power-saving plug 200 into the learning mode or the monitoring mode. In an embodiment, the display device 204 may be a LED display, a LED bulb, a LCD display, a plasma display, or any such device configured to indicate if the learning selector 202 has set the power-saving plug 200 into the learning mode or the monitoring mode. In an embodiment, the indication by the display device 204 may be by a flashing light emitted by a LED bulb, a steady light of a particular color emitted by a LED bulb, or a text string displayed on either one of a LED display, a LCD display, a plasma display, or the like.

[0040] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include an input terminal 206 configured to be connected to an external power supply line. In an embodiment, the input terminal 206 may include a plurality of jacks and/or sockets and/or connectors, for example, the input terminal 206 may include a plug having male circuit contacts, such as, protruding prongs, blades, or pins. In an embodiment, the protruding prongs, blades, or pins may be configured for use in a particular country. For example, the input terminal 206 may include protruding prongs, blades, or pins having a particular spatial arrangement and a particular voltage and/or current rating for use in a particular country or region.

[0041] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include an output terminal 208 configured to be connected to an electrical device. In an embodiment, the output terminal 208 may include a plurality of jacks and/or sockets and/or connectors, for example, the output terminal 208 may include a socket having female circuit contacts, such as, a pass-through socket. In an embodiment, the circuit contacts of the output terminal 208 may be configured for use in a particular country. For example, the output terminal 208 may include sockets having a particular spatial arrangement and a particular voltage and/or current rating for use in a particular country or region. [0042] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include a re-activatable interrupt device 210 electrically connected between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208. In an embodiment, there may be a direct physical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, such that the re-activatable interrupt device 210 is located between these terminals. This direct physical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 may result in the re- activatable interrupt device 210 being electrically connected between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208.

[0043] In another embodiment, there may be no direct physical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, as in the embodiment of Figure 2. Nonetheless, there may still exist an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, such as, through at least one intermediary device, at least one connector, or by other means, for example, by capacitance, inductance, or electromagnetic waves.

[0044] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may include a TRIAC, or an electrical relay, for example, a latching relay, a reed relay, a mercury-wetted relay, a polarized relay, a machine tool relay, a ratchet relay, a contactor relay, a solid-state relay, a solid state contactor relay, a buchholz relay, and a forced-guided contacts relay. In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device may include a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) relay, a Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) relay, a Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) relay, or a Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) relay. [0045] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include a detection device 212 configured to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal 208. In an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be an intermediary device that provides an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2. In another embodiment, the detection device 212 may not be an intermediary device that provides an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, and instead, may form an electrical connection with only the output terminal 208 in order for it, namely, the detection device 212, to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal 208.

[0046] In an embodiment, the detection device 212 may include a differential sensor probe, a flux gate sensor, a current transformer (as in the embodiment of Figure 2), a voltage divider, or any such device configured to determine a current value drawn from a terminal. In an embodiment, the detection device 212 may further include a signal amplification circuit (as in the embodiment of Figure 2) configured to amplify signals detected in the detection device 212. Illustratively, in an embodiment of Figure 2 where the detection device 212 includes a current transformer, the detection device 212 may also include an amplifier configured to amplify the signals of the current transformer in order that a more precise determination of the current value drawn from the output terminal 208 may be obtained.

[0047] In an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine a learning-mode current value, wherein the learning-mode current value may be the current drawn from the output terminal 208 of the power-saving plug 200 when the power-saving plug is set into the learning mode by the learning selector 202. As used herein, "when the power-saving plug is set into the learning mode" refers to the state of the power-saving plug 200 being in the learning mode, and does not necessarily refer to the instant in time when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode.

[0048] In an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine the learning-mode current value for a first predetermined time duration after the power- saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode. In an embodiment, the first predetermined time duration may be measured from the instant in time when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode by the learning selector 202. In another embodiment, the first predetermined time duration may be measured after a delay from the instant in time when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode by the learning selector 202. Accordingly, in any embodiment, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine the leaming-mode current value for a first predetermined time duration whilst the power-saving plug 200 is in the learning mode.

[0049] In an embodiment, the first predetermined time period may fixed, tunable, or programmable. In an embodiment, the first predetermined time period may be a duration up to about 20 seconds, for example, about 18 seconds, or about 16 seconds, or about 14 seconds, or about 12 seconds, or about 10 seconds, or about 8 seconds, or about 5 seconds, or about 4 seconds. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine the leaming-mode current value for up to about 20 seconds after the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode by the learning selector 202. Stated differently, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine the learning-mode current value for up to about 20 seconds whilst the power-saving plug 200 is in the learning mode.

[0050] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include a memory device 214 configured to store the learning-mode current value determined by the detection device 212. In an embodiment, the memory device 214 may be an intermediary device that provides an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2. In another embodiment, the memory device 214 may not be an intermediary device that provides an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, and instead, may form an electrical connection with only the detection device 212 in order for it, namely, the memory device 214, to store the learning-mode current value determined by the detection device 212.

[0051] In an embodiment, the memory device 214 may include any one of, or any combination of, volatile memory devices, e.g. DRAM, SRAM, T-RAM, TTRAM, or the like, and non-volatile memory devices, e.g. EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, nvSRAM, CBRAM, SONOS, RRAM, or the like.

[0052] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210, for example, an electrical relay, may be further configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 after the detection device 212 has determined, and the memory device 214 has stored, the learning-mode current value. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 after the detection device 212 has determined the learning-mode current value for a first predetermined time duration, for example, up to about 20 seconds, after the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode by the learning selector 202 and after the memory device 214 has stored this learning-mode current value. Therefore, in an embodiment, current may be drawn from the output terminal 208 for only a finite period of time period when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode, wherein the finite period of time may include the delay between the instant of time when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode and the instant the first predetermined time duration commences, the first predetermined time duration itself, and the time taken by the memory device 214 to store the learning -mode current value.

[0053] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may further include: a receiver 216 configured to receive an activation signal. In an embodiment, the receiver 216 may be electrically connected to the re-activatable interrupt device 210. In an embodiment, the electrical connection between the receiver 216 and the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be the result of a direct physical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and the receiver 216. In another embodiment, the electrical connection between the receiver 216 and the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be the result of at least one intermediary device lying between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and the receiver 216, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0054] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver 216. For example, in an above-mentioned embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 after the detection device 212 has determined the learning -mode current value for a first predetermined time duration, for example, up to about 20 seconds, after the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode and after the memory device 214 has stored this learning-mode current value. Accordingly, in an embodiment, there is no electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 of the power-saving plug 200 after the detection device 212 has determined the learning-mode current value and after the memory device 214 has stored this learning-mode current value. Therefore, in an embodiment which includes a receiver 216, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver 216.

[0055] In an embodiment, the receiver 216 may be configured to receive an activation signal including at least one of an optical signal (for example, an infra-red signal, a high- frequency laser signal) and a radio frequency signal (for example, radio frequency of about 3 GHz, or Bluetooth).

[0056] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may include a comparator 218 configured to compare the stored learning-mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value, wherein the monitoring-mode current value is determined by the detection device 212. In an embodiment, the monitoring-mode current value may be the current drawn from the output terminal 208 of the power-saving plug 200 when it, namely, the power-saving plug 200, is set into the monitoring mode by the learning selector 202. In an embodiment, the comparator 218 may be an intermediary device that provides an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2. In an embodiment, the comparator 218 may also be communicatively coupled to each of the memory device 214 and the detection device 212, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2. In another embodiment, the comparator 218 may not be an intermediary device that provides an electrical connection between the re-activatable interrupt device 210 and each of the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208, and instead, may form an electrical connection with each of the detection device 212 and the memory device 214 in order for it, namely, the comparator 218, to compare the learning-mode current value stored in the memory device 214 with the monitoring-mode current value determined by the detection device 212. In an embodiment, the comparator 218 and the memory device 214 may be included in the same device, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2. In another embodiment, the memory device 214 may be distinct and separate from the comparator 218 and both may not be included in the same device.

[0057] In an embodiment, the comparator 218 may directly compare the the stored learning-mode current value with the monitoring-mode current value. In an embodiment, the comparator 218 may indirectly compare the stored learning -mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value by first converting each of the learning-mode current value and the monitoring-mode current value to a corresponding number, wherein the corresponding numbers are then directly compared by the comparator 218. In an embodiment, the comparator 218 may include a microcontroller unit, a dedicated voltage comparator IC chip, a dedicated current comparator IC chip, and an op-amp comparator.

[0058] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 (for example, a TRIAC or an electrical relay), may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 based on a result of the comparison performed by the comparator 218. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the comparator 218 may be additionally communicatively or electrically connected to the re- activatable interrupt device 210 in order for the result of the comparison to be sent by the comparator 218 to the re-activatable interrupt device 210, in order to enable the re- activatable interrupt device 210 to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 based on a result of the comparison.

[0059] In an embodiment, the result of the comparison may be the learning-mode current value stored by the memory device 214 being substantially equal to the monitoring-mode current value determined by the detection device 212. In another embodiment, the result of the comparison may be the learning-mode current value stored by the memory device 214 being either greater than or less than the monitoring-mode current value determined by the detection device 212. In an embodiment, the result of the comparison may depend on the state of an electrical device connected to the power- saving plug 200 when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode by the learning selector 202.

[0060] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 when the desired result of the comparison (namely, if the stored learning-mode current value is substantially equal to, greater than, or less than the monitoring-mode current value) is maintained for a second predetermined time duration. In an embodiment, the second predetermined time duration may be a duration of about 40 seconds, for example, about 40 seconds, or about 35 seconds, or about 30 seconds, or about 28 seconds, or about 26 seconds. In an embodiment, the second predetermined time duration may be larger than the first predetermined time duration.

[0061] In an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 when the stored learning-mode current value is substantially equal to the monitoring- mode current value for a duration of about 40 seconds, such as, about 40 seconds, or about 35 seconds, or about 30 seconds, or about 28 seconds, or about 26 seconds.

[0062] In an embodiment, the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 may be reactivated after the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 has been broken in response to a result of the comparison. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver 216, and after the electrical connection has been broken in response to a result of the comparison performed by the comparator 218.

[0063] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may further include: an electrical power rectification circuit 220 configured to convert an alternating voltage and an alternating current into a DC voltage and a DC current, respectively. In an embodiment, the electrical power rectification circuit 220 may be electrically connected to the input terminal 206 of the power-saving plug 200, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2. In an embodiment, at least one of the DC voltage and the DC current may supply electrical power to at least one of the comparator 218, the memory device 214, and the re- activatable interrupt device 210, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0064] Figure 3 shows a power-saving plug according to an embodiment. The embodiment of Figure 3 is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may further include: a housing 302; wherein the learning selector (not shown in Figure 3), the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 are mounted on at least one external face of the housing 302, and wherein the re- activatable interrupt device 210, the detection device 212, the memory device 214 and the comparator 218 are contained within the housing. In an embodiment, the receiver 216 may be mounted on at least one external face of the housing 302. In an embodiment, the housing 302 may include a removable portion 302a. In an embodiment, the receiver 216 may be mounted on the removable portion of the housing 302a so as to enable the receiver 216 to receive the activation signal in an efficient, reliable and robust manner. In an embodiment, the removable portion of the housing 302a may be communicatively coupled with the main housing 302 by a cable 304 or by a socket and jack 306. The specific design of the housing in the embodiment of Figure 3 is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting.

[0065] Figure 4 shows a power-saving plug according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 including a housing 302, 302a may further include: an external power supply line 402 and an electrical device 404. In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may be connected (physically or electrically) to the external power supply line 402 through the input terminal 206. In an embodiment, the external power supply line 402 may include sockets having female contacts, such as in the embodiment of Figure 4. In an embodiment, the external power supply line 402 may be a standard AC power supply line rated to provide AC power of about 100V to about 240V with a frequency of about 50 Hz to about 60 Hz. In an embodiment, the external power supply line 402 may further include a power-relay device, such as, for example, an electrical extension cord or a power-strip, configured to relay power from a standard AC power supply line. In an embodiment, the external power supply line 402 may further include a socket fixed on a building structure, which may be secured to a wall of the building structure by a cover, such as, for example, a face plate, an outlet cover, a socket cover, a wall cover, or the like, such as in the embodiment of Figure 4. The external power supply line 402 including the socket and the cover may also be referred to as a receptacle, a power-outlet, or a power point. In an embodiment, the input terminal 206 may include a plug having protruding prongs, blades, or pins that securely fit into matching slots or holes in the socket of the external power supply line 402.

[0066] In an embodiment where the power-saving plug 200 includes an electrical device 404, the electrical device 404 may be configured to be set into a standby mode and an operating mode. In an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may be connected to the electrical device 404 through the output terminal 208. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the power-saving plug 200 may be an intermediary device configured to be connected between the external power supply line 402 and the electrical device 404, such as in the embodiment of Figure 4.

[0067] In an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine the learning-mode current value drawn from the output terminal 208 when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode and when the electrical device 404 is set into the standby mode. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the learning-mode current value determined by the detection device 212 may correspond to the current drawn by the electrical device 404 when the electrical device 404 is on standby, such as when a television is not displaying images or video, but is still drawing electrical power from the AC mains supply 402. In such an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be further configured to determine the monitoring-mode current value drawn from the output terminal 208 when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the monitoring mode and when the electrical device 404 is set into the operating mode. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the monitoring-mode current value determined by the detection device 212 may correspond to the current drawn by the electrical device 404 when the electrical device 404 is operating, such as when a television is displaying images or video to a viewer. In such an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 (and hence, the electrical connection between the external power supply line 402 and the electrical device 404) when the stored learning-mode current value is substantially equal to the monitoring-mode current value for a duration of about 40 seconds, such as, about 40 seconds, or about 35 seconds, or about 30 seconds, or about 28 seconds, or about 26 seconds. In this situation, the result of the comparison may indicate that the electrical device 404 is no longer in operation, and thus, does not need to maintain an electrical connection to the external power supply line 402.

[0068] In another embodiment, the detection device 212 may be configured to determine the learning-mode current value drawn from the output terminal 208 when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the learning mode and when the electrical device 404 is set into the operating mode. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the learning-mode current value determined by the detection device 212 may correspond to the current drawn by the electrical device 404 when the electrical device 404 is operating, such as when a television is displaying images or video to a viewer. In such an embodiment, the detection device 212 may be further configured to determine the monitoring-mode current value drawn from the output terminal 208 when the power-saving plug 200 is set into the monitoring mode. In such an embodiment, the monitoring-mode current value determined by the detection device 212 may show a drop in the current drawn by the electrical device 404 when the electrical device 404 is set on standby, such as when a television is not displaying images or video, but is still drawing electrical power from the AC mains supply 402. In such an embodiment, the re-activatable interrupt device 210 may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 (and hence, the electrical connection between the external power supply line 402 and the electrical device 404) when the stored learning-mode current value is greater than the monitoring-mode current value for a duration of about 40 seconds, such as, about 40 seconds, or about 35 seconds, or about 30 seconds, or about 28 seconds, or about 26 seconds. In this situation, the result of the comparison may indicate that the electrical device 404 is no longer in operation, and thus, does not need to maintain an electrical connection to the external power supply line 402.

[0069] Figure 5 shows a power-saving plug set according to an embodiment. Various exemplary embodiments provide a power-saving plug set 500 including: a learning selector 202 configured to set the power-saving plug set between a learning mode and a monitoring mode; an input terminal 206 configured to be connected to an external power supply line; an output terminal 208 configured to be connected to an electrical device; a re-activatable interrupt device 210 electrically connected between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208; a detection device 212 configured to determine a current value drawn from the output terminal 208; a memory device 214 configured to store a learning-mode current value, determined by the detection device 212, and drawn from the output terminal 208 when the power-saving plug set 500 is set into the learning mode; a comparator 218 configured to compare the stored learning-mode current value with a monitoring-mode current value, determined by the detection device 212, and drawn from the output terminal 208 when the power-saving plug set 500 is set into the monitoring mode, wherein the re-activatable interrupt device 210 is configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 based on a result of the comparison; a receiver 216 configured to receive an activation signal, and electrically connected to the re-activatable interrupt device 210, wherein the re- activatable interrupt device 210 is further configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal 206 and the output terminal 208 upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver 216; a housing (not shown in Figure 5), wherein the learning selector 202, the input terminal 206, the output terminal 208 and the receiver 216 are mounted on at least one external face of the housing, and wherein the re-activatable interrupt device 210, the detection device 212, the memory device 214 and the comparator 218 are contained within the housing; and a remote control 502 configured to transmit the activation signal to the receiver 216.

[0070] The further features described above with reference to the power-saving plug are equally applicable, and hereby restated, in respect of the power-saving plug set.

[0071] Various exemplary embodiments provide a method for operating the power- saving plug. Figure 6 shows a method for operating the power-saving plug according to a first embodiment. In an embodiment, the method 600 for operating the power-saving plug may include the power-saving plug being initialized 602. In the initialization step 602, the necessary initializations for each of the components included in the power-saving plug are performed. For example, in an embodiment where the comparator is included in a microcontroller unit, the initialization step 602 may set up the required system configuration, the general purpose input/output (GPIO), and the timers for the first predetermined time duration and the second predetermined time duration. In an embodiment, the memory device of the power-saving plug may be initialized in step 602. In an embodiment, the receiver of the power-saving plug may also be synchronized and programmed to receive the activation signal of a particular remote control during the initialization step 602.

[0072] In an embodiment, the method 600 for operating the power-saving plug may include the power-saving plug being configured to break the electrical connection 604 between its input terminal and the output terminal after it has been initialized in 602. In this step 604, the re-activatable interrupt device of the power-saving plug may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal. This may enable reduction or elimination of phantom power usage by an electrical device.

[0073] In an embodiment, the method 600 for operating the power-saving plug may include the power-saving plug being configured to receive an activation signal 606. As described in an embodiment of the power-saving plug, the re-activatable interrupt device of the power-saving plug may be configured to reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal upon receipt of the activation signal by the receiver.

[0074] In an embodiment, the method 600 may include the power-saving plug being set into a learning mode 608 by a learning selector after the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal is reactivated upon receipt of the activation signal 606 by the receiver.

[0075] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may then be configured to determine the learning-mode current 610 for a first predetermined time period and store the learning-mode current 610 in the memory device of the power-saving plug.

[0076] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may be configured to break the electrical connection 612 the between its input terminal and the output terminal after the learning-mode current (by the detection device of the power-saving plug) and after the learning-mode current has been stored in the memory device 610. Once again, the re- activatable interrupt device of the power-saving plug may be configured to break the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal, which may enable reduction or elimination of phantom power usage by an electrical device. [0077] In an embodiment, the power-saving plug may be configured to further receive another activation signal 614 which would reactivate the electrical connection between the input terminal and the output terminal of the power-saving plug. This may be followed by the power-saving plug being set into a monitoring mode 616 by the learning selector.

[0078] In an embodiment, the detection device of the power-saving plug may then be configured to determine the monitoring -mode current 618, whilst the comparator of the power-saving plug may be configured to compare the stored learning-mode current with the monitoring-mode current 620.

[0079] In an embodiment, the method 600 for operating the power-saving plug may include deciding if the desired result of the comparison has been met, and if this desired result has been held for a second predetermined time period 622. At this decision step 622, if the desired result of the comparison has been met, and if this desired result has been held for a second predetermined time period, the re-activatable interrupt device of the power-saving plug may be configured to break the electrical connection 604 between the input terminal and the output terminal since this might indicate that an electrical device is no longer in operation. In this case, electrical power to the electrical device may be disconnected, and the power-saving plug may await receipt of the activation signal in order for the detection device of the power-saving plug to determine a new learning- mode current and a new monitoring-mode current. However, if the desired result of the comparison has been not met, or if the desired result of the comparison has been met, but has not been held for a second predetermined time period, then the power-saving plug may be configured to continue determining the monitoring-mode current 618, and comparing this monitoring-mode current with the stored learning-mode current 620.

[0080] Figure 7 shows a method for operating the power-saving plug according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the steps are identical to the method of Figure 6, except that the learning-mode current in the method of Figure 7 is determined only once. Accordingly, in the embodiment of Figure 7, the method 700 for operating the power-saving plug may include deciding if the desired result of the comparison has been met, and if this desired result has been held for a second predetermined time period 722. At this decision step 722, if the desired result of the comparison has been met, and if this desired result has been held for a second predetermined time period, the re-activatable interrupt device of the power-saving plug may be configured to break the electrical connection 712 between the input terminal and the output terminal since this might indicate that an electrical device is no longer in operation. In the embodiment of Figure 7, electrical power to the electrical device may be disconnected and the power-saving plug awaits receipt of the activation signal 714 so that a new monitoring-mode current may be determined and thereafter compared to the previously stored learning-mode current from step 710. However, if the desired result of the comparison has been not met, or if the desired result of the comparison has been met, but has not been held for a second predetermined time period, then the power-saving plug may be configured to continue determining the monitoring-mode current 718, and comparing this monitoring-mode current with the stored learning-mode current 720.

[0081] Various embodiments provide a computer program product, which, when executed by a computer, makes the computer perform a method for operating the power- saving plug according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments of the method. In an embodiment, the specific embodiment of the method may be programmable or tunable.

[0082] The further features described above with reference to each of the first method 600 and the second method 700 are equally applicable, and hereby restated, in respect of the computer program product.

[0083] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.