Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a network-based management system comprises a controller, a networked device and a control server. The control server is in communications with both the controller and the networked device having a communication port for such communications. The control server generates a user interface for display on the controller and used to activate and/or deactivate the networked device.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A system for interactively selecting and activating groups of electrically powered devices such as computer and computer peripheral devices. A preferred system includes computer and computer peripheral devices, an interactive video display and a controller. The computer and computer peripheral devices include a printer and at least two computers, each of the computers including a printer port. The computers include a controller interface computer which executes a controller interface software module to generate control signals including user interface control signals. The video display receives the user interface control signals and, in response to the signals, interactively prompts a user to provide user inputs to the controller interface computer. The user inputs include a designation of a selected group of devices from the plurality of electrically powered devices.

Abstract: An index tab for mounting on a sheet member, which is provided with keying means in the form of a protrusion, comprises a mainly planar base sheet. A first side of the base sheet comprises a non-adhesive printing surface and a second side of the base sheet includes an adhesive coating. A non-adhesive region disposed on the second side forms an adhesive-free pocket for guiding and receiving the keying means when the base sheet is folded about an intermediate fold line for mounting on the sheet member.

Abstract: An envelope having a single peel-off backing sheet covering strips of pressure sensitive adhesive located along the sides of a panel of the envelope, which facilitates processing through automatic mechanical sheet feed printing equipment, laser printing equipment and feed through copy machines prior to folding the panel in order to form an envelope. Before the panel is folded, the panel, peel-off backing sheet, and peel-off strip attached to an adhesive strip on the envelope's closure flap provide a flat sheet of uniform thickness which can be easily processed through printing and copying equipment. After indicia is printed on the panel or copying is completed, an envelope may be formed by peeling the single backing sheet off the pressure sensitive strips, folding the envelope about a fold line located near the middle of the panel, and pressing the strips of pressure sensitive adhesive at the sides of the panel together so that a pocket is formed for holding a letter or other document.

Abstract: A one piece mailer includes a standard size sheet which may be employed in laser printers or xerographic machines without special equipment and involves printing on one side only of the mailer. Stable adhesive material which will not run or contaminate the office machines, when it is subject to several hundred degrees heat is used for sealing. This adhesive is preferably water-activated. One embodiment includes a mailing sheet having an upper and lower half, with the upper half carrying the addresses and the message, and the lower half having windows which match the location of the addresses on the upper half of the mailer. The second embodiment involves a mailer having a first full sheet having an upper portion on which messages are printed, and a lower portion on which addresses are printed. On the rear side of the main sheet is a short partial sheet toward the bottom of the main sheet forming an envelope, and with a transverse strip of adhesive immediately above the envelope pocket to seal the envelope.