Power and/or Alarming Security System for Electrical Appliances

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to security systems and, more particularly, to a power and/or alarming security system for electrical appliances. In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a socket and a circuit. The socket can be configured for detachable electrical connection with an electrical appliance. The circuit can be configured to (1) provide power to a connected electrical appliance through the socket, and (2) calibrate an alarm limit for a security function for the socket based on a plurality of electrical characteristics of the connected electrical appliance that are measured via the socket, wherein the electrical characteristics comprise an admittance characteristic and a current draw characteristic of the connected electrical appliance. Furthermore, the circuit can calibrate the alarm limit for the socket according to a plurality of calibration phases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a socket configured for detachable electrical connection with a power brick, the power brick configured for detachable electrical connection with an electrical appliance; and   a circuit configured to (1) provide power through the socket, and (2) calibrate a security threshold of the socket according to a plurality of calibration phases, (3) monitor, through the socket, an electrical characteristic of a connected power brick and an electrical appliance connected to the power brick, (4) compare the monitored electrical characteristic with the calibrated threshold to determine whether a security condition exists, and (5) generate a signal indicative of the security condition in response to a determination that the security condition exists;   wherein the calibration phases comprise (1) a first calibration phase where stimulation signals are applied to the socket and electrical characteristic responses are measured from the socket when the power brick is connected to the socket but an electrical appliance is not connected to the power brick, and (2) a second calibration phase where stimulation signals are applied to the socket and electrical characteristic responses are measured from the socket when the power brick is connected to the socket and the electrical appliance is connected to the power brick.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wherein the monitored electrical characteristic comprises an admittance characteristic of the connected power brick and the electrical appliance connected to the power brick. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the wherein the monitored electrical characteristic comprises a current draw characteristic of the connected power brick and the electrical appliance connected to the power brick. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wherein the monitored electrical characteristic comprises a current draw characteristic of the connected power brick and the electrical appliance connected to the power brick. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stimulation signals include a plurality of stimulation signals of different frequencies. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of any of  claim 1  wherein the circuit comprises a processor configured to perform the compare and generate operations. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit comprises a current and admittance sensor circuit configured to sense an admittance and a current draw of the connected power brick and the electrical appliance connected to the power brick to support the calibrate and monitor operations. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the circuit is further configured to (1) categorize between a plurality of different types of power bricks as part of the calibration, and (2) customize the security threshold based on the categorized power brick type. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the power brick types include a USB charger. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the socket comprises a plurality of sockets, each socket connected to the circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the circuit is further configured to perform the calibrate operations on a per-socket basis such that security thresholds for the sockets are independently customized. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the calibrated security threshold is insensitive to whether the connected electrical appliance is powered. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the calibrated security threshold is sensitive to whether the electrical appliance is connected to the power brick. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the socket is configured to receive power from an external AC power source. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the socket and the circuit are part of a power strip. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the socket and the circuit are part of a wall outlet. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 connecting a power brick to a socket, wherein the power brick is not connected to an electrical appliance;   while the power brick is connected to the socket and the electrical appliance is not connected to the power brick, (1) applying a plurality of stimulation signals to the power brick through the socket, and (2) measuring a plurality of electrical characteristics of the power brick in response to the stimulation signals;   connecting the electrical appliance to the power brick;   while the power brick is connected to the socket and the electrical appliance is connected to the power brick, (1) applying a plurality of stimulation signals to the power brick and electronic device through the socket, and (2) measuring a plurality of electrical characteristics of the power brick and electronic device in response to the stimulation signals;   defining a security threshold based on (1) the measured electrical characteristics of the power brick in response to the stimulation signals and (2) the measured electrical characteristics of the power brick and electronic device in response to the stimulation signals; and   testing a security status of the socket based on the defined security threshold.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 in response to the testing, detecting a disconnection between the electrical appliance and the power brick even if the power brick remains connected to the socket. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 in response to the testing, detecting a disconnection between the power brick and the socket. 
 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 a socket configured for detachable electrical connection with an electrical appliance; and   a circuit configured to (1) provide power to a connected electrical appliance through the socket, (2) determine a categorization type of the connected electrical appliance based on measurements of a plurality of electrical characteristics of the connected electrical appliance, and (3) control a security function for the socket based on the determined categorization type.