Networking power plug device with automated power outlet control

Claim 1

A power plug device comprising: a housing; a power plug connected on the housing for obtaining electrical power and for sending and receiving communications signals therein of a first communications protocol type; a communications port for establishing a connection to a computer network, the communications port capable of sending and receiving communications signals of a second communications protocol type; a telephone jack for establishing a connection to a telephone network, the telephone jack capable of sending and receiving communications signals of a third communications protocol type; at least one power socket module comprising a socket switch and a power socket, wherein the power socket is electrically connected to the power plug via the socket switch and provides electrical power to a plugged external device, an on/off state of the socket switch determining whether or not the power socket provides electrical power to the external device; and an embedded controller electrically connected to the power plug, the communications port, the telephone jack and the socket switch, the embedded controller comprising: a switch controlling circuit that controls the on/off state of the socket switch; a communications circuit for receiving communications signals from and sending communications signals to the power plug, the telephone jack and the communications port; a processor electrically connected to the communications circuit and to the switch controlling circuit; and a memory electrically connected to the processor, the memory comprising a communication/control program that controls operations of the embedded controller, providing the embedded controller conversion capabilities between the first, second and third communications protocol types to enable the communications circuit to relay communications signals between the power plug, telephone jack and communications port, and providing switching capabilities to direct the switch controlling circuit to control the on/off state of the socket switch according to communications signals received from the communications circuit.