Patent ID: 7188264

Claim:
A power management system comprising: a server connected to a first network; and a plurality of client computers connected to the server via a second network, wherein the server comprises: means for defining groups among the plurality of client computers; means for determining a power shift time period for each of the client computer groups based on power load information for an external power source sent by a power company; means for determining power source information for each of the client computer groups, the power source information including first information representing which of the external power source and a secondary power source is to be used by the group of client computers, and second information representing the power shift time period for the group of client computers; and means for transmitting power source information to each of the client computer groups, and wherein each of the plurality of client computers comprises: means for receiving power source information transmitted from the server; means for selecting one of the external power source and the secondary power source based on received first information; and means for determining a time for using the selected one of the external power source and the secondary power source based on received second information, wherein the means for selecting controls supply of power from the external power source or the secondary power source based on the determined time.