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A method and device for power management of intelligent hardware (e.g., an intelligent data concentrator) for providing access to voice and data networks. Power use data of the intelligent hardware is obtained, wherein the intelligent hardware is coupled to a power source and communicatively coupled

A method and device for power management of intelligent hardware (e.g., an intelligent data concentrator) for providing access to voice and data networks. Power use data of the intelligent hardware is obtained, wherein the intelligent hardware is coupled to a power source and communicatively coupled to a voice or data network. The intelligent hardware is configured to communicatively couple a plurality of electronic devices to the network. Using the power use data, a power mode of the intelligent hardware is determined. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a first interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent hardware to the network and a power source and a second interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to the plurality of client devices. The intelligent device also comprises means for processing and interpreting data coupled to the first interface, and power mode control means coupled to the means for processing and interpreting data.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling power for an intelligent data concentrator, comprising: obtaining power use data of said intelligent data concentrator coupled to a power source and communicatively coupled to a network, wherein said intelligent data concentrator is configured to be i

What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling power for an intelligent data concentrator, comprising: obtaining power use data of said intelligent data concentrator coupled to a power source and communicatively coupled to a network, wherein said intelligent data concentrator is configured to be installed within a cavity in a wall such that a user-accessible surface including a plurality of communication ports is external to and substantially planar with an external surface of the wall to provide a communicative coupling for each of a plurality of client devices to said network at said user-accessible surface; and using said power use data to determine a power mode of said intelligent data concentrator. 2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said intelligent data concentrator comprises: a first interface for coupling said intelligent data concentrator to said power source and communicatively coupling said intelligent data concentrator to said network; a second interface for communicatively coupling said intelligent data concentrator to said plurality of client devices such that each said client device is communicatively coupled to said network; a processor coupled to said first interface and said second interface; and a power mode controller coupled to said processor. 3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said intelligent data concentrator is communicatively coupled over said network to a central control site, said central control site for defining said power use data. 4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said power use data is predefined and stored in intelligence of said intelligent data concentrator. 5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said power use data is user-defined. 6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said power use data is obtained by detecting a level of activity of said intelligent data concentrator. 7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said power use data is obtained by detecting a level of activity within a predetermined area, said predetermined area containing said intelligent data concentrator. 8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said level of activity is detected by a motion detector. 9. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said level of activity is detected by a heat sensor. 10. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said level of activity is detected by a sound detector. 11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said intelligent data concentrator is configured to supply power from said power source to said plurality of client devices. 12. An intelligent data concentrator comprising: a housing configured to be installed within a cavity of a wall; a first interface for coupling said intelligent data concentrator to a power source and communicatively coupling said intelligent data concentrator to a network; a second interface for communicatively coupling said intelligent data concentrator to a plurality of client devices such that each said client device is communicatively coupled to said network, wherein said second interface is external to and substantially planar with an external surface of the wall to provide a plurality of communication ports, each communication port providing the communicative coupling for one of the plurality of client devices; a processor coupled to said first interface and said second interface; and a power mode controller coupled to said processor, said power mode controller configured to obtain power use data of said intelligent data concentrator and configured to use said power use data to determine a power mode of said intelligent data concentrator; wherein said first interface, said second interface, said processor and said power mode controller are comprised within said housing. 13. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said intelligent data concentrator is communicatively coupled over said network to a central control site, said central control site for defining said power use data. 14. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said power use data is predefined and stored in intelligence of said intelligent data concentrator. 15. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said power use data is user-defined. 16. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said power use data is obtained by detecting a level of activity of said intelligent data concentrator. 17. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said power use data is obtained by detecting a level of activity within a predetermined area, said predetermined area containing said intelligent data concentrator. 18. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 17 wherein said level of activity is detected by a motion detector. 19. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 17 wherein said level of activity is detected by a heat sensor. 20. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 17 wherein said level of activity is detected by a sound detector. 21. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said intelligent data concentrator is configured to supply power from said power source to said client devices. 22. An intelligent data concentrator comprising: a housing configured to be installed within a cavity of a wall; a first interface for coupling said intelligent data concentrator to a power source and communicatively coupling said intelligent data concentrator to a network; a second interface for communicatively coupling said intelligent data concentrator to a plurality of client devices such that each said client device is communicatively coupled to said network, wherein said second interface includes a plurality of communication ports external to and substantially planar with an external surface of the wall to provide the communicative coupling for each of the plurality of client devices to said network; a means for processing and interpreting data coupled to said first interface and said second interface; and a power mode control means coupled to said means for processing and interpreting data, said power mode control means configured to obtain power use data of said intelligent data concentrator and configured to use said power use data to determine a power mode of said intelligent data concentrator; wherein said first interface, said second interface, said means for processing and interpreting data and said power mode control means are comprised within said housing. 23. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 22 wherein said intelligent data concentrator is communicatively coupled over said network to a central control site, said central control site for defining said power use data. 24. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 22 wherein said power use data is predefined and stored in intelligence of said intelligent data concentrator. 25. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein said power use data is user-defined. 26. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 22 wherein said power use data is obtained by detecting a level of activity of said intelligent data concentrator. 27. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 22 wherein said power use data is obtained by detecting a level of activity within a predetermined area, said predetermined area containing said intelligent data concentrator. 28. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 27 wherein said level of activity is detected by a motion detector. 29. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 27 wherein said level of activity is detected by a heat sensor. 30. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 27 wherein said level of activity is detected by a sound detector. 31. An intelligent data concentrator as recited in claim 22 wherein said intelligent data concentrator is configured to supply power from said power source to said plurality of client devices.