Power management system

摘要

A system comprises a power provider and a plurality of power consumers. The power provider has a plurality of power outlets. The power consumers are coupled with the power outlets via corresponding power cables. The power provider and power consumers may communicate via the power cables using powerline communication as the power provider provides operational power to the power consumers. Powerline communication may be provided using radio frequency integrated circuits in the power provider and in the power consumers. The power provider may provide power event notifications to the power consumers through the power cords. The power provider may also provide equipment identification of the power consumers through the power cords. The power provider may also monitor and regulate power consumption by the power consumers. An adapter may be used to retrofit a conventional computer system to provide powerline communication between a computer and a power supply.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
(a) a power supply, wherein the power supply comprises:
(i) a plurality of power outputs, wherein each power output is configured to transmit electrical power, and(ii) a plurality of indicator lights, wherein each indicator light is associated with a corresponding power output of the plurality of power outputs, wherein each indicator light is positioned proximate to the associated power output; (b) a power consuming device, wherein the power consuming device comprises:
(i) a power input, wherein the power input is configured to receive electrical power, and(ii) an indicator light associated with the power input, wherein the indicator light is positioned proximate to the power input; (c) a cable, wherein the cable is coupled with a first power output of the plurality of power outputs, wherein the cable is further coupled with the power input such that the cable defines an input/output pair, wherein the cable is configured to transmit electrical power from the first power output to the power input; wherein the indicator light associated with the first power output and the indicator light associated with the power input each are powered by electrical current; and wherein the indicator light associated with the first power output and the indicator light associated with the power input are both configured to selectively illuminate to indicate formation of the input/output pair by the cable; and (d) a user input, wherein the user input is operable to selectively activate the indicator lights associated with the input/output pair, wherein:
(i) the indicator lights associated with the input/output pair will selectively activate in a first mode if the power consuming device is configured to receive power only from the first power output; and(ii) the indicator lights associated with the input/output pair will selectively activate in a second mode if the power consuming device is configured to receive power from an additional source.