Plug and receptacle having wired and wireless coupling

US7399205B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Craig A. McNeely · Columbus, US
• Richard H. Heimbrock · Batesville, US
• Carl W. Riley · Milan, US
• Keith A. Huster · Sunman, US
• Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III · Greensburg, US
• Paul J. McDaniel · Burlington, US
• Williams F. Collins, Jr. · Columbus, US
• Oscar A. Manguiat · East Liverpool, US
• Terry L. Tincher · Lebanon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 19, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 15, 2008
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S439/909
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A plug and a communication module communicate wirelessly. The plug includes prongs that couple to sockets of a power outlet to receive power for a device associated with the plug. The plug carries circuitry that communicates wirelessly with circuitry of the communication module. The communication module is located near the power outlet in some embodiments.