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.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/431,333 filed May 6, 2003 which claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/378,342, filed May 6, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60378342 |
May 2002 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10431333 |
May 2003 |
US |
Child |
10625837 |
Jul 2003 |
US |