Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for instrumenting devices to measure power usage using a multi-tier wireless network. An example embodiment includes: establishing communication with a plurality of networked power monitors deployed at particular points in a facility, each power monitor of the plurality of networked power monitors being configured to monitor power consumption of a different one of a plurality of electronic devices in the facility; periodically obtaining system data from each of the plurality of networked power monitors using a wireless sensor network, the system data including power consumption data corresponding to associated electronic devices; using a communication hub to aggregate the system data from a plurality of associated power monitors, the communication hub and the plurality of associated power monitors forming a local network within the wireless sensor network; and using the system data to control operation of the plurality of electronic devices in the facility.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting the amount of the power available from a phone line and for adjusting the clock rate and data transfer rate of a modem or a device that transfers data over the phone line to provide the best possible performance for the available phone-line power. A method of operating a device for transferring data over a phone line includes the following steps: setting the device off hook; measuring the voltage level of the phone line; determining the amount of the power available from the phone line; selecting a clock rate for the device; setting the device to operate at the clock rate; placing a call; selecting a data transfer rate; and transferring the data.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) card and corresponding computer IC card receptacle apparatus is described which provides for enhanced electrical isolation of the IC card's side contacts during insertion, and which provides for enhanced IC card security features. The apparatus includes an IC card containing a side contact located within a recessed keyed notch along a side edge. The apparatus also includes an IC card receptacle containing the corresponding side electrical contact on a keyed control arm. The keyed control arm is keyed for the recessed keyed notch of the IC card, such that the electrical contact on the keyed control arm remains electrically isolated until the IC card is completely inserted into the receptacle. The control arm may be coupled to a locking mechanism so that the IC card is forcibly retained in the IC card receptacle until released.