Method and apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a plurality of computer and computer peripheral devices including a controller interface computer which executes a controller interface software module to generate control signals including user interface control signals;
a display responsive to the user interface control signals and adapted to interactively prompt a user to provide user inputs to the controller interface computer, the user inputs including (i) a designation of a selected group of devices from the plurality of computer and computer peripheral devices and (ii) a prepayment method designation; and
switching control circuitry connected to each of the plurality of computer and computer peripheral devices, the switching control circuitry, responsive to the control signals, to control usage by interrupting continuity of at least one key operating line of one or more of the plurality of the computer and computer peripheral devices.
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Accused Products
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.
140 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of computer and computer peripheral devices including a controller interface computer which executes a controller interface software module to generate control signals including user interface control signals;
a display responsive to the user interface control signals and adapted to interactively prompt a user to provide user inputs to the controller interface computer, the user inputs including (i) a designation of a selected group of devices from the plurality of computer and computer peripheral devices and (ii) a prepayment method designation; and
switching control circuitry connected to each of the plurality of computer and computer peripheral devices, the switching control circuitry, responsive to the control signals, to control usage by interrupting continuity of at least one key operating line of one or more of the plurality of the computer and computer peripheral devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system comprising:
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a computer;
a computer peripheral device;
a controller interface computer to generate control signals including user interface control signals;
a display responsive to the user interface control signal and adapted to interactively prompt for inputs to the controller interface computer, including (i) a designation of one of the computer and computer peripheral device, and (ii) a prepayment method designation; and
switching control circuitry in communication with the computer and the computer peripheral device, the switching control circuitry, responsive to the control signals, to control usage by interrupting continuity of at least one key operating line of the computer and the computer peripheral device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification