Apparatus and methods for managing Power distribution over Ethernet
First Claim
1. A method for managing power supplied to a network device, comprising:
- scanning a plurality of power inputs to the network device to ascertain if a power signal is present and to identify an active power source;
determining available power from the active power source;
determining required power for the network device and any operatively connected auxiliary devices;
comparing required power to available power to determine if available power is sufficient to power the network device; and
controlling an operation of the network device based upon the active power source and/or if available power is insufficient to power the network device.
23 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A network apparatus and method for managing power supplied to a network device. A plurality of power inputs to the network device are scanned to ascertain if a power signal is present and to identify an active power source. Available power is determined from the active power source and required power for the network device and any operatively connected auxiliary devices is also determined. The required power is compared to available power to determine if available power is sufficient to power the network device. An operation of the network device is controlled based upon the active power source and/or if available power is insufficient to power the network device.
182 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for managing power supplied to a network device, comprising:
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scanning a plurality of power inputs to the network device to ascertain if a power signal is present and to identify an active power source; determining available power from the active power source; determining required power for the network device and any operatively connected auxiliary devices; comparing required power to available power to determine if available power is sufficient to power the network device; and controlling an operation of the network device based upon the active power source and/or if available power is insufficient to power the network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions contained therein for performing a power management method for a network device, the method comprising:
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scanning a plurality of power inputs to the network device, to ascertain if a power signal is present and to identify an active power source; determining available power from the active power source; determining required power for the network device and any operatively connected auxiliary devices; comparing required power to available power to determine if available power is sufficient to power the network device; and controlling an operation of the network device based upon the active power source and/or if available power is insufficient to power the network device.
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16. A network apparatus having access to multiple power sources, the network apparatus comprising:
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at least one sensor operatively coupled to a plurality of power inputs; an auxiliary device connection; and a process controller configured to; scan the power inputs to ascertain if a power signal is present and to identify an active power source; determine available power from the active power source; determine required power for the network device and any operatively connected auxiliary devices; compare required power to available power to determine if available power is sufficient to power the network device; and control an operation of the network device based upon the active power source and/or if available power is insufficient to power the network device.
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17. A network apparatus, comprising:
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a power detection device configured to sense a first power signal from an independent power supply and to sense a second power signal through a network connection, wherein the network connection supports both data exchange with, and power supply to, the network apparatus; and a process controller configured to determine an active power source based on either the first power signal or the second power signal, and to control an operation of an auxiliary device operatively connected to the network apparatus based upon the active power source. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone, comprising:
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an independent power supply connection configured to provide a first power signal; a network connection, wherein the network apparatus exchanges data with, and receives a second power signal through the network connection; an auxiliary device connection; a power detection device configured to sense the first power signal from the independent power supply connection, to sense the second power signal through the network connection, and to sense an auxiliary device operatively connected through the auxiliary device connection; and a process controller configured to determine an active power source based on sensing either the first power signal or the second power signal, to determine a total power requirement for the network apparatus, and to control an operation of the VoIP telephone based upon the active power source and the total power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification