Abstract: A method for monitoring the activity of a tape drive system having one or more electro-mechanical components that receive electrical current from a power supply. The method includes sampling an actual current supplied to an electro-mechanical component of a tape drive system from a power supply during an activity; reading a theoretical current for said activity from a memory; calculating a statistical value for said actual current and said theoretical current; comparing said statistical value to at least one threshold value; and outputting information to at least one of a user, another system, and another process based on said comparison of said statistical value to said at least one threshold value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an activity of a tape drive system having one or more electro-mechanical components, said electro-mechanical components receiving electrical current from a power supply. The system comprises a mechanism for sampling an actual current supplied to said electro-mechanical component from said power supply during said activity; a mechanism for reading a theoretical current for said activity; a mechanism for calculating a statistical value for said actual current and said theoretical current; a mechanism for comparing said statistical value to at least one threshold value; and a mechanism for outputting information to at least one of a user, another system, and another process based on said comparison of said statistical value to said at least one threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for authorized remote access to a target system. The apparatus, system, and method include a security module and an authorization module that cooperate to authenticate a remote user using three passwords. The apparatus, system, and method selectively generate an encrypted key in response to a first password. The authorization module decrypts the encrypted key and determines a third password in response to authenticating a second password and identifying a remote user within an authorized user list. The third password is then used to gain secure, traceable, and in certain embodiments, restricted remote access to a target system.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the activity of a system of one or more electro-mechanical components that receive electrical current from a power supply. The method and system samples an actual current supplied to the electro-mechanical component from the power supply. Next, the method and system reads a theoretical current for the activity of the system. A statistical value is computed from comparing the actual current and the theoretical current. This statistical value is compared to upper and lower threshold values. Depending upon this comparison, the system issues various output messages. Further, if this comparison indicates that one of the electro-mechanical components is failing, the method and system will shut that component down.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the activity of a system of one or more electromechanical components that receive electrical current from a power supply. The method and system samples an actual current supplied to the electromechanical component from the power supply. Next, the method and system reads a theoretical current for the activity of the system. A statistical value is computed from comparing the actual current and the theoretical current. This statistical value is compared to upper and lower threshold values. Depending upon this comparison, the system issues various output messages. Further, if this comparison indicates that one of the electromechanical components is failing, the method and system will shut that component down.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a condition, such as the presence of electrical power, at a remote location and for generating a telephone call on to a telephone line that delivers to a central control unit notification of a change in the monitored condition in the form of a set of unique identifying signals. According to the method, the condition is monitored at the remote location and is sensed for changes in the condition from a first state to a second state. Responsive to a change in the condition to the second state, the telephone line is tested and a line availability signal generated. Responsive to indicia of line availability, the line is selectively seized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information, such as power consumption, to a subscriber over an electronic network in response to commands provided by the subscriber. The apparatus includes a remote unit which detects and stores the power consumption information, a subscriber device, i.e., a telephone, for generating request commands and a control device which tracks the information. The subscriber using the subscriber device, feeds the request commands via the network to the control device. The control device responds to the commands by directing the remote unit to feed its stored power consumption information onto the network to the control device. The control device then processes the information and indicates the result back to the subscriber.