US 2003/0126253 A1Published application

Network remote power management outlet strip

AssigneeServer Technology, Inc.

InventorsCarrel W. Ewing, Brian P. Auclair, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Mark J. Bigler

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Abstract

A vertical-mount network remote power management outlet strip embodiment of the present invention comprises a long, thin outlet strip body with several independently controllable power outlet sockets distributed along its length. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies AC-operating power to relays associated with each of the power outlet sockets. The relays are each addressably controlled by a microprocessor connected to an internal I2C-bus serial communications channel. The power-on status of each relay output to the power outlet sockets is sensed and communicated back on the internal I2C-bus. A device-networking communications processor with an embedded operating system translates messages, status, and controls between the internal I2C-bus and an Ethernet port, and other external networks.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A network remote power management outlet strip, comprising:

a plurality of power outlet sockets that each provide for an independently controlled source of operating power to a corresponding electrical load;
an internal serial communications bus capable of being daisy-chain connected amongst a plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) modules;
a device networking communications processor disposed on an interchangeable PCB personality module and providing for network communication between the internal serial communications bus and an external network;
a power input PCB for receiving electrical operating power to be ultimately supplied to said electrical loads, and for providing a total-current digital message related to a total current delivered to said electrical loads communicated on the internal serial communications bus;
a digital display PCB connected to receive a total-current digital message communicated on the internal serial communications bus;
and
a plurality of power control relay PCB's each connected to independently switch electrical current from the power input PCB to corresponding ones of said electrical loads according to digital messages communicated on the internal serial communications bus.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/313,314Filed 6 Dec 2002
Priority: 23 Jul 1996
Published: 3 Jul 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification29 codes

H02J 13/1321
Characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network: using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
G06F 1/26
Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00: power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
G06F 1/266
Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof: arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under…
G06F 1/3209
Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality: monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or…

Family

Application08/685,436Continuation in part · filed 23 Jul 1996
Application09/375,471Continuation in part · filed 16 Aug 1999
Application09/732,557Continuation in part · filed 8 Dec 2000
Application09/930,780Continuation in part · filed 15 Aug 2001
Application10/313,314Continuation in part · filed 6 Dec 2002
US 2002/0002593 A1Published application
US 5,949,974 ARelated patent
US 6,711,613 B1Related patent
US 7,043,543 B2Related patent
US 7,099,934 B1Related patent
US 7,171,461 B2Related patent
US 2003/0126253 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.