Element B: DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF PRIOR SOLUTION ATTEMPTS

Introduction

To begin my patent search, I used Google Patents and a simple Google search. I  made sure to enter keywords related to my initial idea to see if anything similar already existed. I used a little bit of wordplay to get the results I was looking for, ensuring I wasn't missing anything that could have been useful. One of the main challenges I faced was looking through vague or overly broad patents that weren’t directly related but still showed up in the results. It was hard to find patents that were directly related due to outlets being very broad. Though many of the patents were very similar, there wasn't one that stood out as directly related to our product.

Patent Name: NIGHT LIGHT 

Patent Number: US 6,390,647 B1

Date of Patent: *May 21, 2002 

Patent Abstract: A night light design which allows for improved functionality over those heretofore available. The basic design is flexible enough to be adapted for either indoor or outdoor use, and for various brightness levels. Particularly for outdoor use, bulbs of up to 15 watts can be used, providing an increased illumination level. All designs preferably include a light sensing element and a control circuit, wherein the light turns itself on when the ambient lighting levels fall low enough. Also, several preferred embodiments include a variable control, wherein the brightness of the night light can be continuously varied between very dim and full brightness.

Pros and Cons: The light stays on forever until turned off

Not much installations needed by customer.

Patent Name: Safety night light system and method of manufacture thereof

Patent Number:US5339231A 

Date of Patent: Aug. 16, 1994 

Patent Abstract: An improved night light incorporating effective safety features that greatly reduce the risk of electrocution by small children. The housing of the night light flares out towards its back surface to prevent an adult's or child's fingers from accidently contacting electrically live blades while inserting or removing it from an electrical receptacle. The blades are constructed so that their length is a function of the distance the blades are below the surface of a receptacle, the distance from the side of the blade where it protrudes from the back surface of the housing to the side edge of the housing and the distance from the bottom edge of the blade to the bottom edge of the back surface of the housing. A toggle provides on and off control of the night light. An open loop of spring metal provides the toggle with a snap action feel when operated. A snap on shade prevents glare to a user from direct exposure to the illuminating bulb.

Pros and Cons: It takes up an outlet spot that could be used to plug in something.

You have to turn it on and not when you need it manually.

it does solve the problem of not being able to find the outlet.

Patent Name: Illuminated outlet

Patent Number: US6547411B1

Date of Patent: Apr. 15, 2003

Patent Abstract: An illuminated outlet for providing an illuminated electrical outlet that illuminates a surrounding area to allow visibility at night. The illuminated outlet includes a body member having a light emitting member. The light emitting member is operationally coupled to a power service for a building. The light emitting member emits light to illuminate the body member when the light emitting member is supplied with power from the power service. The body member is designed for coupling to a wall of the building. A face plate of the body member has a plurality of apertures. The apertures are designed for operationally coupling to the power service whereby the apertures are for permitting a plug of an appliance to be operationally coupled to the power service.

Pros and Cons: It's always illuminated, making it mostly useless at times and might attract some children due to the light always being on.

Light up the outlet, making it easy to see.

Existing Competitive Products

Product 1:SnapPower 2 Pack GuideLight 2 [for Duplex Outlets] - Replaces Plug-in Night Light - Electrical Receptacle Wall Plate with LED Night Lights - Auto On/Off Sensor - (Duplex, White)

Pros: Simple, built-in lighting,

Cons: Lit up all night, expensive

Product 2: 0.5-Watt UltraBrite Plug In Motion-Activated Integrated LED Night Light

Pros:  Bright, Motion Detecting

Cons: Breaks quickly,  Stays on, light fades quickly, takes up a plug in

Citations (use easybib.com,https://www.citationmachine.net/, or  Google docs. )

Clarke, A. W., & Kalous, R. J. (1994). Illuminated wall plate for electrical receptacle (U.S. Patent No. 5,339,231). United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://patents.google.com/patent/US5339231A/en

Dalson, R. B. (2002). Illuminated electrical outlet cover plate (U.S. Patent No. 6,390,647 B1). United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://patents.google.com/patent/US6390647B1/en

Dalson, R. B. (2003). Snap-on electrical outlet cover with integral light source (U.S. Patent No. 6,547,411 B1). United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://patents.google.com/patent/US6547411B1/en

GE. (n.d.). 0.5-Watt UltraBrite Plug-In Motion Activated Integrated LED Night Light. Home Depot. https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-0-5-Watt-UltraBrite-Plug-In-Motion-Activated-Integrated-LED-Night-Light-29844/206356358

SnapPower. (n.d.). GuideLight 2 – Outlet cover plate with built-in LED night light (2-pack). Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Pack-GuideLight-Plug-Electrical-Receptacle/dp/B0BQD2QHPR?th=1

SnapPower. (n.d.). MotionLight – Motion-sensing outlet night light. https://www.snappower.com/products/motionlight?srsltid=AfmBOopxNQShuWBWwn7M7Cg9RZD1suLDiDiIOC79fV3QBG4MBiH1vWYy

U.S. Patent No. 5,816,682. (1998). Illuminated electrical outlet cover plate. United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/b3/77/a6/35ad2ff91059c7/US5816682.pdf

Summary:

Already existing solutions have many flaws that would make them less than ideal candidates for our problem. The majority of products are simply night lights, which don't solve our problem because the bulb is illuminated all night. This can be distracting for consumers who prefer sleeping in complete darkness. Another issue is the build quality relative to the cost. Either the product is in a higher cost bracket, which pushes away potential consumers who are cost-sensitive, or the product is manufactured with low-grade materials, which compromises its durability.  Additionally, the light output diminishes progressively with extended use. A review of the 0.5-Watt UltraBrite Plug In Motion-Activated Integrated LED Night Light validates this. The customer states, "Light started out bright. Within a month, the light has dimmed by at least fifty percent." Another flaw of existing solutions is that the light fails to illuminate the contact openings.