FOREWORD : this is all based and cloned to a few details to the excellent solution you can find here. All credits for the author, I'm just making small variation based on his work : http://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/powerswitch.html

Purpose

Same project as noardPowerSwitch except with an Arduino.
Have a windows interface to controll on/off different things plugged around your pc. Ie, turn on/off that DVD reader that you use once a while and that has that annoying switch behind the case under the pc itself under the tv (see what I mean ?). It's a smart version of Auto USB power box, using 5Amp relays to drive power-hog DVD reader, sound system, ...
This project is a good pretext for:

• Playing with relays
• More chance to burn down my place (do NOT play with AC power if you don't know what you're doing)
• Continue the fun after the Clapclap that turns light on in my room

History

Circuit

Schema

Todo

Links

• V-USB implementation for Arduino: a sample http://www.alfersoft.com.ar/blog/2011/11/14/brute-force-attack-a-bios-with-arduino/
  • Using http://code.google.com/p/vusb-for-arduino/
  • Also using http://www.practicalarduino.com/projects/virtual-usb-keyboard