Method and/or system and/or apparatus for remote power management and monitoring supply

• US 20040064198A1
• Filed: 07/22/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cyber Switching Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Cyber Switching Incorporated
• Inventors: Reynolds, Charles H., Silorio, Ron L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,550,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip

Abstract

Methods and/or systems providing new capabilities in power monitoring and/or power cycling management allowing a variety of different remote interfacing.

Claims

1. A method allowing a user to remotely manage a one or more power outputs in an information appliance comprising:

providing at least one user interface;

providing individual output current monitoring results;

providing at least one interface allowing a user to independently schedule events for each of said one or more power outputs;

registering user indications to configure and/or change operating states of said outputs;

using microcontroller logic operatively connected to said outputs to change states and/or configurations of said outputs in accordance with said user indications.

2. The method of claim 1 further wherein:

said at least one user interfaces are selected from;

an web-based interface;

a telephone interface;

a telnet interface;

an email interface;

a serial interface;

or

an SNMP interface.

3. The method of claim 2 further wherein:

said telnet interface and/or said serial interface are menu driven text-based interfaces.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting initial configuration through a direct connection interface; and

subsequently interacting with users through one or more additional interfaces.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting user indications of a time server;

automatically updating the time using said time server.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting indications registering one or more non-administrator users;

granting non-administrator users access individually to one or more of said outputs.

7. A smart power manager monitor comprising:

logic circuitry able to execute logic instructions and operatively connected to;

one or more interface connections;

a memory storing logic instructions;

one or more relays each individually controlling one or more power outputs;

one or more current sensors each individually sensing current drawn by one or more outputs; and

an inlet for receiving power from an external source.

8. The device of claim 7 further wherein:

said at least one interface connection is selected from;

a network connection;

a telephone connection;

or

a direct serial connection.

9. The device of claim 7 further wherein:

said logic circuitry provides at least one external interface selected from;

an web-based interface;

a telephone interface;

a telnet interface;

an email interface;

a serial interface;

or

an SNMP interface.

10. The device of claim 7 further wherein:

said logic circuitry comprises;

a microcontroller.

11. The device of claim 10 further wherein:

said logic circuitry further comprises;

one or more drivers and/or processors for operating said interfaces and/or said outputs.

12. The device of claim 7 further wherein:

said plurality of relays comprise at least two relays each individually controlling one or more power outputs; and

said plurality of current sensors comprise at least two current sensors each individually sensing current drawn from one or more power outputs.

13. A remotely controlled and/or monitored power source comprising:

a plurality of power output means;

means for monitoring and/or configuring a power output using a direct computer connection;

means for monitoring and/or configuring a power output using a network connection;

means for receiving instructions from one or more users;

means for presenting data to one or more users;

means for individually and accurately sensing current drawn at each said power output means.

14. A method of managing power within an information appliance comprising:

receiving power from an external source at a first connector;

connecting power to one or more controllable relays said controllable relays providing one or more managed power domains for information appliance components;

providing at least one physical communication interface with power connections outside of said managed power domains; and

executing logic instructions on power management components powered outside of said managed power domains for controlling said relays and communicating on said communication interface.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

connecting power at said one or more controllable relays to one or more output current monitors, said monitors separately monitoring current use of said power domains; and

executing logic instructions on said power management components to receive current monitoring results and provide said results to users over said communication interface.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing at least one user interface, said interface executed on said power management components.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing at least one interface allowing a user to independently schedule events for each of said one or more power outputs;

registering user indications to configure and/or change operating states of said outputs;

using power management logic operatively connected to said outputs to change states and/or configurations of said outputs in accordance with said user indications.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

accepting user indications of a time server;

automatically updating the time using said time server.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

accepting indications registering one or more non-administrator users;

granting non-administrator users access individually to one or more of said outputs.

20. The method of claim 14 further wherein:

said power is received on a main processing board of said system and said controllable relays reside on said main board.

21. The method of claim 14 further wherein:

said power is received on a component board of said system and said controllable relays reside on said component board, said component board having at least one connection to a main board of said system.

22. The method of claim 14 further wherein:

said power is received on a component board of said system, said component board providing a plurality of power domains to one or more other boards in said system.