Patent ID: 7333000
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for automatically tracking connectivity of one or more electrically-powered devices to a power source device, said power source device including a plurality of receptacle means, each receptacle means for providing AC power to one or more an electrically-powered devices connected thereto, said system comprising: a plurality of identification devices, each identification device for connection with an electrically-powered device, and each further connected to a single receptacle means of said power source device, each identification device adapted for receiving and providing AC power to its connected electrically-powered device, and each identification device further and having a unique identifier associated therewith for identifying its corresponding attached electrically-powered device; a communications system for enabling transfer of message signals between said power source device and each attached identification device via its respective connected receptacle means, said communication system further adapted to receive message signals from a tracking control device for generating a query message signal requesting identification of each electrically-powered device attached to said power source device, each attached identification device receiving a query message signal from said power source via its respective connected receptacle means and communicating a response signal including its unique identifier for receipt by said control device for tracking the device connected with said receptacle means of said power source device; said tracking control device comprising: a means for providing a mapping of each unique identifier associated with identification devices with a predetermined connected receptacle means at said power source device and, a means for comparing each unique identifier communicated in said response message signal against said mapped predetermined connected receptacle means, said system further verifying whether the unique identifier is associated with a device predetermined as being connected to that receptacle; and, said communications system including a first communications sub-system means provided in said power source device for receiving network communications signals from said tracking control device via a network interface according to a network communications protocol and generating said query message signal for transmission to an identification device via its respective connected receptacle means, said query message signal generated according to a modulation scheme for transmission with alternating current power signals provided by said power source for receipt by said attached identification device; and, a multiplexor means responsive to a control signal for enabling said query message signal to be transmitted to a specific one of said plurality of receptacle means provided with said power source device for transmission to a targeted identification device and, enabling a response signal including its unique identifier to be communicated from a specific one of said plurality of receptacle means for transmission back to said control device.