Sony Develops 'Authentication Outlet' Which Controls Electricity Per User and Per Device

Sony Corp. announced on February 14, 2012, that it had developed an "Authentication Outlet" that enables users to control and use electricity on a per-user and per-device basis. With the "Authentication Outlet," a user is able to manage electricity on an individual electronic device basis and to keep records of past usage, and arrange payments for electric bills by combining it with an electronic payment system.

The "Authentication Outlet" is a combination of an outlet which works as an interface for electrical use with a non-contact IC chip which is used for electronic money settlements. It is equipped with a non-contact IC chip in the plug of the electrical device, while the electrical outlet is embedded with a card reader/writer and communication interface. When an electrical device is plugged into the outlet, the "Authentication Outlet" identifies a specific user and electrical device for authentication and matches the user with electricity consumption.

Once these "Authentication Outlets" are widely in use, users will be able to enjoy service that proposes the optimum usage of specific electric devices matching their usage of power by combining the outlet and a cloud service on the Internet. When power supply/demand becomes tight, the outlets can be managed to turn off non-critical devices.

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Posted: 2012/06/13 06:00:15 AM

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Manufacturing industry