Method and apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices

• US 20060136625A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce K. Sauer, Kent Kwan, Kim Y. Kao
• Original Assignee: Bruce K. Sauer, Kent Kwan, Kim Y. Kao
• Inventors: Kao, Kim Y., Kwan, Kent, Sauer, Bruce K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,277,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3423 where the assessed time is active or idle time
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. An apparatus to monitor usage of an electrically powered device, comprising:

a circuit coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device;

an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the power output to digital form; and

a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval, the controller includes a database of power profiles of the device and receives the digital form of the power output, compares the digital form of the power output to the power profiles, and monitors the operation of the device by suspending a charge for usage of the device if the digital form of the power output indicates a halt condition.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a switching device coupled between the electrically powered device and a power source, the switching device to control power to the electrically powered device, responsive to the control signals.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the database of power profiles includes normal operation power profiles, idle operation power profiles, and halt condition power profiles of the device.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the controller continues to suspend charging for usage of the device as long as the device is in halt condition.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the switching device is a relay.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the circuit is a current to voltage converter.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the electrically powered device is a copier.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the electrically powered device is a laser printer.

28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the circuit is an ammeter.

29. An apparatus to monitor usage of an electrically powered device, comprising:

an analog to digital converter coupled to receive an power output of the device and to convert the power output to digital form; and

a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by requesting approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval, the controller includes a database of power profiles of the device and receives the digital form of the power output, compares the digital form of the power output to the power profiles, and monitors the operation of the device by suspending a charge for usage of the device if the digital form of the power output indicates a halt condition.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a switching device coupled between the device and a power source, the switching device to control power supplied to the device in response to the control signals.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the switching device is a relay.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the database of power profiles includes normal operation power profiles, idle operation power profiles, and halt condition power profiles.

33. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the controller continues to suspend charging for usage of the device as long as the device is in halt condition.

34. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the circuit is an ammeter.

35. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the device is one of a copier and a laser printer.

36. An apparatus to monitor usage of an electrically powered device, comprising:

means for converting a power output of the device into a digitized power output;

means for receiving the digitized power output and for comparing the digitized power output with power profiles from a database of power profiles; and

means for monitoring operations of the device by suspending a charge for usage of the device if the digitized power output indicates a halt condition.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising:

means for receiving a user input, for processing the user input by requesting approval of a financial transaction, and for generating control signals in response to receiving approval.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising:

means for switching and controlling power supplied to the device in response to the control signals.