DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a low cost, self-powered, ultra low standby power consumption based timer plug and external timer socket configured to safely turn off an electrical device after the user set time gets elapsed.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Usually, we watch TV or use other devices such as air conditioner, electric stoves, microwaves, stereos, DVDs, fax machines, printers, copiers and turn them off using remote control and assume that it is turned OFF fully and thereafter consumes no power. However, the same is not correct as switching off by remote control merely puts the equipment into a standby mode and it continues to consume some energy until and unless the power supply to the equipment is cut off either by switching off the power supply or by pulling out the power plug. Such power consumption is known as standby power (also known as vampire power or vampire draw).
[0004] Thus standby power is electrical power used by appliances and equipment while switched off or not performing their primary function, often waiting to be activated by a remote controller. That power is consumed by internal or external power supplies, remote control receivers, text or light displays, circuits energized when the device is plugged in even when switched off, etc. Power can be saved by disconnecting such devices, causing at worst only inconvenience of inability to switch them on by remote control.
[0005] In past, standby power was largely a non-issue for users, electricity providers, manufacturers, and government regulators. However, due to increasing global energy shortageand concerns about the energy issues, in the first decade of the twenty-first century, awareness of the issue grew and it became an important consideration for all parties. Up to the middle of the first decade of the century, standby power was often several watts or even tens of watts per appliance. On account of rising concerns, US and European Certification Centres developed a “standby power consumption standard” and by 2010, regulations were in place in most developed countries restricting standby power of devices sold to one watt (and half that from 2013).
[0006] Such standby power consumption accounts for 3% ~ 13% of civilian power consumption, accounting for about 2% of the total generating capacity. Furthermore, standby mode power consumption of some electronic items are, for instance, 7 watts for computer monitors, 3-9 watts for TV, 7-15 watts for fax machines, 4-9 watts for indoor air-conditioning devices, and so on.
[0007] Another example is of mobile chargers, wherein usually we put our mobile on charging when we go to sleep and it remains connected to the charger till morning consuming power even though the mobile phone gets fully charged within 1 to 2 Hours. The charger continues to try to charge the mobile battery and consumes some amount of electrical power unnecessarily. Also, the battery gets heated up excessively which adversely affects life of the battery. There is a definite need of saving such wasteful consumption of electrical power.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a device that can overcome the above-mentioned wasteful consumption of power and totally eliminating the stand by energy consumption from present 10%-12%.
[0009] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0010] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device to eliminate standby power consumption by electrical appliances.
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that cuts off power supply to the electrical appliances after a set period of time to eliminate standby power consumption by the electrical appliance.
[0016] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device whose own standby power consumption is substantially less than that of the electrical appliance with which it is configured.
[0017] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a circuit diagram for the device to eliminate standby power consumption.
[0018] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device to eliminate standby power consumption that is cheap and easy to use.

SUMMARY
[0019] Aspects of present disclosure relate to a device that can eliminate standby power consumption by electrical appliances. In an aspect, the disclosed device can cut off power supply to the electrical appliance thus eliminating the standby power consumption of the connected electrical appliance.
[0020] In an aspect, the device can operate to cut off the power supply after a user settable time period. Thus a user can set the time period based on his expected use time for the appliance and the disclosed device can cut off power supply to the electrical appliance after that period thus eliminating the standby power consumption by the connected electrical appliance.
[0021] In an aspect, the disclosed device’s own standby power consumption is very low. Thus use of the disclosed device can result in substantial saving in respect of standby power consumption.
[0022] In an aspect, the device can be configured like a power plug or a power socket or a socket to plug adapter that can be configured between normal plug of the power supply cord of the equipment and normal power supply socket. The disclosed device therefore does not need any specialized installation and is easy to install and use.
[0023] In an aspect, body of the device can incorporate a dial to set time period after which power supply through the device gets cut off. Thus a user can anticipate time period after which he shall be switching off the equipment using remote control and set the time period using the dial, keeping the set time period a little more than the anticipated time to provide for a margin in operation of the device. The device can thereafter operate by itself to cut off power supply to the equipment after set time period to save on the standby power consumption of the equipment.
[0024] In an aspect, the device further includes an electrical circuit comprising a Power up trigger Circuit, a Current to Voltage Converter and a LDO to provides table DC voltage to operate the circuit; a low cost, low power, 3/4 GPIO pin microcontroller that takes ON/OFF decision based on input from rotary dial; and a ON/OFF circuit connected in series with LIVE line configured to get input from microcontroller and trip to open the contacts of live line between inputs and output. The circuit further comprises a LED to indicate the ON/OFF state of the device.
[0025] In an aspect, the disclosed device is low cost, self-powered, easy to install and use and thus provides an ideal solution to problem of standby power consumption by electrical appliances.
[0026] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary front view of disclosed device configured as a power socket or plug to socket adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary side view of the disclosed device configured as a power plug or plug to socket adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of proposed circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0032] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0033] Various terms as used herein and to the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0034] Embodiments of present disclosure relate to a device that can eliminate standby power consumption by electrical appliances. In an aspect, the disclosed device can cut off power supply to the electrical appliance thus eliminating the standby power consumption by the connected electrical appliance wherein the device is a timer based device configured to turn off an electrical device after a user set time gets elapses. A user can anticipate time period after which he shall be switching off the equipment using remote control and set the time period using a dial incorporated in the device, keeping the set time period a little more than the anticipated time to provide for a margin in operation of the device. The device can thereafter operate by itself to cut off power supply to the equipment after set time period to save on the standby power consumption of the equipment.
[0035] In an embodiment, the disclosed device’s own standby power consumption is very low thus use of the disclosed device can result in substantial saving in respect of standby power consumption.
[0036] In an embodiment, the device is configured like a power plug or a power socket or a plug to socket adapter that can be configured between plug of the power supply cord of the equipment and power supply socket. The disclosed device therefore does not need any specialized installation and is easy to install and use.
[0037] In an embodiment, the device further includes an electrical circuit comprising a Power up trigger circuit, a Current to Voltage Converter and a LDO to provide a stable DC voltage to operate the circuit; a low cost, low power, 3/4 GPIO pin microcontroller that takes ON/OFF decision based on input from rotary dial; and a ON/OFF circuit connected in series with LIVE line configured to get input from microcontroller and trip to open the contacts of live line between inputs and output. The circuit further comprises a LED to indicate the ON/OFF state of the device.
[0038] In an embodiment, the disclosed device is low cost, self-powered, easy to install and use and thus provides an ideal solution to problem of standby power consumption by electrical appliances.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1 wherein a front view of the disclosed device 100 is disclosed wherein 102 represents outer body of the device that can be made of a suitable insulating material such as ABS Plastic or Fiber. In an embodiment the device can be configured as a power socket or a power plug or as an adapter wherein the power socket can be part of power supply means, the power plug can be part of power supply cord of an electrical appliance and the adapter can be configured between a normal power socket and a normal power plug of electric cord of an electrical appliance.
[0040] In an embodiment, the device 100 when configured as a power socket or an adapter can incorporate line terminals104 of a 3 pin socket configured to receive standard 5A as well as 16A power plugs in adjacent holes of two different sizes.
[0041] In an embodiment, the device 100 can further incorporate a LED 106 to indicate whether the device is ON or OFF; a rotating dial 110 with minutes and hour scale printed on it; and a marker108 configured to indicate starting point of a dial 110.
[0042] In another embodiment, by rotating the dial clockwise from its start point, a user can set the required time for timer to trip power supply through the device 100. In an aspect, the rotating dial can incorporate a scale of timing in seconds, minutes as well as in hours, or in any other desired configuration.
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary side view 200 of the device 100 wherein pins 202 are shown. There can be 3 pins configured like those on a normal 5A as well as 16A power plugs for insertion in corresponding holes of a matching power socket. In an aspect the pins 202 are required if the device 100 is configured as a power plug or an adapter. If configured as a wall mounted power socket, the whole device shall go behind panel of power outlet and the device shall have means to connect live, neutral and earth wires instead of pins.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of electric circuit 300 of the device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The circuit 300 can receive input power through lines 302, 304 and 306 each carrying neutral, earth and live potentials respectively. The live line 302 can be tapped using a Current to Voltage Converter308 to take out small current from the live line 306 and convert it into voltage. A LDO (low drop-out) 310 configured downstream of the Current to Voltage Converter 308 can convert unstable DC voltage to a fixed DC voltage, which can then be used to operate the circuit- in particular a microprocessor and a LED configured in the circuit. The circuit can also incorporate a LED 312 configured to indicate ON/OFF state of the device.
[0045] In an embodiment, the circuit 300 further incorporates a low cost, low power, 3/4 GPIO pin microcontroller 314 used to take ON/OFF decision depending on input from the rotary dial 110. In an aspect, the rotary dial 110, when rotated, changes voltage of the connected line and the changed voltage can be fed to the microcontroller 314 as input and calculate the time set by the user.
[0046] In an embodiment, the circuit 100 can further incorporate an ON/OFF circuit 318 that is connected in series with the live line 306, wherein this circuit can be configured to trip the live line 306 on getting an input from the microcontroller 314 thereby stopping power supply to equipment connected at output of the device. Therefore, standby consumption of the connected equipment is eliminated.
[0047] Thus the disclosure provides a device that can eliminate standby power consumption by connected electrical equipment and result in substantial power saving as device’s own standby power consumption is very low. As is apparent the device is cheap to produce, easy to install and use making it an ideal solution to the problem of standby power consumption.
[0048] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0049] The present disclosure provides a device to eliminate standby power consumption by electrical appliances.
[0050] The present disclosure provides a device that cuts off power supply to electrical appliances after a set period of time to eliminate standby power consumption by the electrical appliance.
[0051] The present disclosure provides a device whose own standby power consumption is substantially less than that of the electrical appliance with which it is configured.
[0052] The present disclosure provides a circuit diagram for the device to eliminate standby power consumption.
[0053] The present disclosure provides a device to eliminate standby power consumption that is cheap and easy to use.
,CLAIMS:1. A device to eliminate standby power consumption by an electrical appliance comprising:
a rotary dial to set a time period and configured to generate a voltage signal corresponding to the set time period;
a microprocessor configured to receive the voltage signal from the rotary dial and generate a trip signal at a time corresponding to the set time period; and
an ON/OFF circuit configured to trip power supply to the electrical appliance on getting the trip signal from the microcontroller.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is a low standby power consuming device.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a LED configured to indicate ON/OFF state of the device.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotary dial has minutes and hour scale printed on it.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a power socket.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a power plug.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a socket to plug adapter.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further incorporates a Current to Voltage Converter and a LDO (low drop-out) configured to provide a stable DC voltage to operate the microprocessor and the LED.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a 5A device.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a 16A device.