Circuit breaking link status detection and reporting circuit

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a circuit breaking link status and reporting system. The system includes a power source and a circuit breaking link in communication therewith. An electrical outlet is in interruptible power supply communication with the circuit breaking link. A sensor is in interruptible electrical communication with the circuit breaking link and configured to generate a signal indicating whether the circuit breaking link is open. A local processor communicates with the sensor and is configured to determine whether the circuit is open. A communications bus is in communication with the local processor and configured to receive signals from the local processor. A processor is in communication with the local processor through the communications bus and configured to receive information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link. A communications port is in communication with the processor and configured to send information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link over a network.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A method of detecting whether power is being supplied to an electrical device in communication with a circuit, the method comprising:
 supplying a circuit with power from a power input;   placing the power input in communication with a circuit breaking link;   if the circuit breaking link is closed:
 transmitting power through the circuit breaking link to an outlet; 
 transmitting power through the circuit breaking link to a sensor; 
 detecting with the sensor that power is being transmitted through the circuit breaking link; 
 generating a signal with the sensor indicating the power is being transmitted through the circuit breaking link; 
 communicating the signal to a first processor; 
 if the circuit breaking link is open; detecting with the sensor that power is not being transmitted through the circuit breaking link; 
 generating signal with the sensor indicating that power in not being transmitted through the circuit breaking link; and 
 communicating the signal to the first processor. 
   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a visual indication that power is being transmitted through the circuit breaking link. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising, with the first processor, determining based on the signal received from the sensor whether the circuit is open or closed. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising communicating the status of the circuit from the first processor to a second processor through a communications bus. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising communicating the status of the circuit to a remote user. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , the step of communicating the status of the circuit to a remote user comprising transmitting a signal from the second processor through a network. 
   
   
       27 . A circuit breaking link status and reporting system comprising:
 (A) a power source;   (B) a circuit breaking link in electrical power supply communication with the power source;   (C) an electrical outlet in interruptible power supply communication with the circuit breaking link;   (D) a sensor in interruptible electrical communication with the circuit breaking link, the sensor configured to generate a signal indicating whether the circuit breaking link is open or closed;   (E) a local processor in communication with the sensor and configured to determine whether the circuit is open or closed based on the signal received from the sensor;   (F) a communications bus in communication with the local processor and configured to receive signals from the local processor;   (G) a processor in communication with the local processor through the communications bus and configured to receive information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link; and   (H) a communications port in communication with the processor and configured to send information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link over a network.   
   
   
       28 . The circuit breaking link status and reporting system of  claim 27 , wherein the sensor comprises an optoisolator. 
   
   
       29 . The circuit breaking link status and reporting system of  claim 27 , further comprising a resistor intermediate the circuit breaking link and the sensor. 
   
   
       30 . The circuit breaking link status and reporting system of  claim 29 , further comprising a circuit breaking link status indicator in communication with the circuit breaking link, whereby the circuit breaking link status indicator provides a visually observable indication of the status of the circuit breaking link. 
   
   
       31 . The circuit breaking link status and reporting system of  claim 30 , the circuit breaking link status indicator comprising a light emitting diode.