Intelligent power switcher

Claim 2

Power switching apparatus for controlling electrical connection of a power source via conductive lines to each of a plurality of outputs, the apparatus comprising: relay means connected in series with said lines for selective actuation, with respect to each said output, between a first power state and a second power state; switch means comprising a plurality of switch elements, with at least one of said switch elements corresponding to each said output, operably coupled to said relay means for generating switch signals with respect to each said output responsive to user commands to select from said states with respect to each said output; and controller means coupled between said switch means and said relay means responsive to said switch signals for controlling said actuation of said relay means with respect to each said output, storing the sequence and time delay between said generation of said switch signals, and, immediately responsive to at least one subsequent switch signal corresponding to an abbreviated user command, reading said stored switch signals such that said relay means is actuated with respect to each said output according to said stored sequence and time delay.

Claim 3

Power switching apparatus for controlling electrical connection of a power source via conductive lines to each of a plurality of outputs, the apparatus comprising: relay means connected in series with said lines for selective actuation, with respect to each said output, between a first power state and a second power state; switch means comprising a plurality of switch elements, with at least one of said switch elements corresponding to each said output, operably coupled to said relay means for generating switch signals with respect to each said output responsive to user commands to select from said states with respect to each said output; and controller means coupled between said switch means and said relay means responsive to said switch signals for controlling said actuation of said relay means with respect to each said output; storing said switch signals, their sequence and the time delay between their generation when said switch signals correspond to a user programming command; and, immediately responsive to at least one subsequent switch signal corresponding to an abbreviated user command, reading said stored switch signals, their sequence and time delay therebetween such that said relay means is actuated with respect to each said output in the same order and with the same time delay therebetween as defined by said user programming command.

Claim 4

Power switching apparatus for controlling electrical connection of a power source via conductive lines to each of a plurality of outputs, the apparatus comprising: relay means connected in series with said lines for selective actuation, with respect to each said output, between a first power state and a second power state; switch means comprising a plurality of switch elements, with at least one of said switch elements corresponding to each said output, operably coupled to said relay means for generating switch signals with respect to each said output responsive to user commands to select from said states with respect to each said output; and controller means coupled between said switch means and said relay means responsive to said switch signals for controlling said actuation of said relay means with respect to each said output; storing said switch signals, their sequence and the time delay between their generation when said switch signals correspond to a user programming command; and, immediately responsive to at least one subsequent switch signal corresponding to an abbreviated user command, reading said stored switch signals, their sequence and time delay therebetween such that said relay means is actuated with respect to each said output in the same order and with the same time delay therebetween as defined by said user programming command.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said switch means is operably coupled in series to said controller means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said switch means further comprises a visual indicator associated with each said switch element for indicating said state of each said output.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said visual indicator is a light emitting diode.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plurality of switch elements generate switch signals corresponding to said user programming commands.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plurality of switch elements comprise momentary contact switches.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said switch means further comprises a master power switch coupled in parallel with said plurality of switch elements.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said master power switch generates switch signals corresponding to said abbreviated user command.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said abbreviated command is a power-on command and said relay means is actuated with respect to each said output to said second state in which each said output is electrically connected to said power source.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said abbreviated command is a power-off command and said stored switch signals and their sequence are read to actuate said relay means with respect to each said output in the reverse order to said first state in which each said output is electrically disconnected from said power source.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said relay means comprises a relay switch associated with each said output for electrically connecting and electrically disconnecting a first said conductive line to each of said outputs and a master relay connected to each said relay switch for controlling the state of each said relay switch.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a power monitor connected between said power source and said controller means for indicating failure of said power source to said controller means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein responsive to said power failure indication, said controller means actuates a master relay means which simultaneously disconnects each said output.

Claim 17

Power switching apparatus for controlling electrical connection of a power source via conductive lines to each of a plurality of outputs, the apparatus comprising: relay circuitry connected in series with said lines for selective actuation, with respect to each said output, between a first power state and a second power state; switch circuitry having a plurality of switch elements, with at least one of said switch elements corresponding to each said outputs, operably coupled to said relay circuitry for generating switch signals with respect to each said output responsive to user commands to select from said states with respect to each said output; and a controller coupled between said switch circuitry and said relay circuitry responsive to said switch signals for controlling said actuation of said relay circuitry with respect to each said output; storing said switch signals, their sequence and the time delay between their receipt when said switch signals correspond to a user programming command; and, immediately responsive to at least one subsequent switch signal corresponding to an abbreviated user command, reading said stored switch signals, their sequence and time delay therebetween such that said relay circuitry is actuated with respect to each said output in the same order and with the same time delay therebetween as defined by said user programming command.

Claim 18

Power switching apparatus for controlling electrical connection of a power source via conductive lines to each of a plurality of outputs, the apparatus comprising: relay circuitry connected in series with said lines for selective actuation, with respect to each said output, between a first power state and a second power state; switch circuitry having a plurality of switch elements, with at least one of said switch elements corresponding to each said outputs, operably coupled to said relay circuitry for generating switch signals with respect to each said output responsive to user commands to select from said states with respect to each said output; and a controller coupled between said switch circuitry and said relay circuitry responsive to said switch signals for controlling said actuation of said relay circuitry with respect to each said output; storing said switch signals, their sequence and the time delay between their receipt when said switch signals correspond to a user programming command; and, immediately responsive to at least one subsequent switch signal corresponding to an abbreviated user command, reading said stored switch signals, their sequence and time delay therebetween such that said relay circuitry is actuated with respect to each said output in the same order and with the same time delay therebetween as defined by said user programming command.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said abbreviated command is a power-on command and said relay circuitry is actuated with respect to each said output to said second state in which each said output is electrically connected to said power source.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said abbreviated command is a power-off command and said stored switch signals and their sequence are read to actuate said relay circuitry with respect to each said output in the reverse order to said first state in which each said output is electrically disconnected from said power source.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein each said output is an A.C. electrical outlet.

Claim 24

The method of claim 19 further comprising: responsive to a user power-off command, reading said stored switch signals and sequence for switching each said output from said second power state to said first power state in an order which is the reverse of said stored sequence.

Claim 25

The method of claim 19 wherein in said first power state, said output is electrically disconnected from said power source.

Claim 26

The method of claim 19 wherein in said second power state, said output is electrically connected to said power source.

Claim 29

The method of claim 23 wherein said abbreviated command is a power-on command and said relays are actuated with respect to each said output to said first state in which each said output is electrically connected to said power source.

Claim 30

The method of claim 23 wherein said abbreviated command is a power-off command and said relays are actuated with respect to each said output in the reverse order to said second state in which each said output is electrically disconnected from said power source.