1. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a network management services module that is capable of communicating with one or more devices in a network using a network administration protocol, wherein the network management services module is configured to determine corresponding properties for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the network management services module is configured to create respective data objects for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices, wherein the first computer further includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer, and wherein the network management services module is capable of sending instructions to the one or more devices in a network using the network administration protocol; and
a network management application module that provides a user interface displaying information relating to the one or more devices in the network obtained by the network management services module using the network administration protocol, the network management application module being configured to use the data objects associated with each of the devices to create a map of the devices, the map identifying the devices and their respective status.
2. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a network information services module that is capable of communicating with one or more devices in a network using a network administration protocol, and wherein the network information services module is capable of sending instructions to the one or more devices in a network using the network administration protocol; and
a network management application module that provides a user interface displaying information relating to the one or more devices in the network obtained by the network information services module using the network administration protocol, the network management application module being configured to use data objects associated with each of the devices to create a map of the devices, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices, wherein the first computer further includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
3. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a gateway service module that is capable of communicating with at least one gateway device in a network using a network administration protocol, and wherein the gateway service module is capable of sending instructions to the at least one gateway device using the network administration protocol; and
a network management application module that provides a user interface displaying information relating to the at least one gateway device in the network obtained by the gateway service module using the network administration protocol, the network management application module being configured to use data objects associated with a plurality of other devices in the network to create a map of the other devices, the map identifying the other devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices, wherein the first computer further includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
4. A method of managing a network by a first computer that includes a first network tool, comprising:
communicating with at least one device in a network using a network administration protocol;
sending instructions to the at least one device in a network using the network administration protocol;
displaying information relating to the at least one device in the network obtained by communicating with the at least one device using the network administration protocol;
using data objects associated with each of a plurality of devices in the network to create a map of the devices, which includes the at least one device, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices; and
providing a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer loins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one device is a gateway device.
6. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a network management services module that obtains information regarding one or more devices in a network, and the network management services module is capable of sending instructions to the one or more devices in a network using a network administration protocol; and
a network management application module that provides access through a Web site to a user interface displaying the information relating to the one or more devices in the network obtained by the network management services module the first computer being configured for:
using data objects associated with each of the devices to create a map of the devices, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices, wherein the first computer further includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer loins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
7. The network tool recited in claim 6, wherein the user interface is capable of receiving input commands through the Web site.
8. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a gateway service module that obtains information regarding at least one gateway device in a network, and the gateway service module is capable of sending instructions to the at least one gateway device using a network administration protocol; and
a network management application module that provides access through a Web site to a user interface displaying the information relating to the at least one gateway device in the network obtained by the gateway service module, wherein the first computer is further configured for:
using data objects associated with each of a plurality of other devices in the network to create a map of the other devices, the map identifying the other devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices; and
providing a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer loins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
9. The network tool recited in claim 8, wherein the user interface is capable of receiving input commands through the Web site.
10. A method of managing a network by a first computer that includes a first network tool, comprising:
obtaining information regarding at least one device in a network;
sending instructions to the at least one device in the network using a network administration protocol;
providing access through a Web site to a user interface displaying the information relating to the at least one network device;
using data objects associated with each of a plurality of devices to create a map of the devices, which includes the at least one device, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices; and
providing a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
11. The method recited in claim 10, wherein the user interface is capable of receiving input commands through the Web site.
12. The method recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one device is a gateway device.
13. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a remote installation module hosted on a first computing device in a local network that is capable of:
communicating with a network management tool hosted on a second computing device in a local network to detect the absence of a software program or software program update on the second computing device;
the remote installation module is further capable of providing the software program or software program update to the second computing device;
causing the second computing device to install the software program or software program update;
using data objects associated with each of a plurality of other devices in the local network to create a map of the other devices, the map identifying the other devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices; and
providing a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
14. A method of installing a software program or software program update on a computing device in a local network, comprising:
from a first computing device in the local network, communicating with a network management tool hosted on a second computing device in the local network to detect the absence of a software program or software program update on the second computing device;
sending the software program or software program update to the second computing device from the first computing device;
causing the second computing device to install the software program or software program update; and
using data objects associated with each of a plurality of other devices to create a map of the other devices, the map identifying the other devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices; and
providing a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a third computing device joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the third computing device, and wherein if the third computing device is discovered to be executing an instance of the network management tool, then the properties for each of the devices of the network are sent to the third computing device.
15. A first network tool embedded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, when executed by a computer processor, operating on a first computer, comprising:
a network management services module that obtains information regarding one or more devices in a network;
a network management application module that provides access through a Web site to a user interface displaying the information relating to the one or more devices in the network obtained by the network management services module the first computer being configured for:
using data objects associated with each of the devices to create a map of the devices, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices, wherein the first computer further includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer loins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer;
a network management application module that provides a user interface with a command to address a problem with a device in a local network; and
a network management services module that, in response to activation of the command, provides an instruction to the device using a network administration protocol, the network management application module being configured to use data objects associated with each of a plurality of devices in the local network to create a map of the devices, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein the network management services module is configured to determine corresponding properties for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the network management services module is configured to create the data objects for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as XML elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices.
16. The network tool recited in claim 15, wherein the instruction is a reboot instruction.
17. The network tool recited in claim 15, wherein a selected one of the devices is a gateway device for the local network.
18. The network tool recited in claim 17, wherein the instruction is a reboot instruction.
19. The network tool recited in claim 17, wherein the problem is a network connectivity problem.
20. A method of managing a network by a first computer that includes a first network tool, comprising:
identifying a problem with a device in a local network;
in response to identification of the problem, providing an instruction to the device using a network administration protocol, and sending instructions to the at least one device in a network using the network administration protocol; and
using data objects associated with each of a plurality of devices to create a map of the devices, which includes the device in the local network, the map identifying the devices and their respective status, wherein corresponding properties are determined for each of the devices, the properties including an IP address for each of the devices, an operational status for each of the devices, and an identity of a manufacturer of each of the devices, and wherein the data objects are created for each of the devices, the data objects being provided as extensible markup language (XML) elements that include an identifier for each of the devices and the properties for each of the devices, wherein the first computer further includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client element and a DHCP listener element such that when a second computer joins the network, the DHCP client broadcasts a first message to notify the network of its presence and to request an IP address for the second computer, and wherein if the second computer is discovered to be executing a second instance of the network tool, then the properties for each of the devices are sent to the second computer.
21. The method recited in claim 20, wherein the instruction is a reboot instruction.
22. The method recited in claim 20, wherein a selected one of the devices is a gateway device for the local network.
23. The method recited in claim 22, wherein the instruction is a reboot instruction.
24. The method recited in claim 22, wherein the problem is a network connectivity problem.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A piezoelectric actuator drive system comprising:
power supply means for supplying an operating voltage;
drive control means for controlling generation of a forwardbackward drive signal for a piezoelectric actuator in response to an operation ON select signal and a forwardbackward driving select signal;
clock generation means for generating a first clock signal in response to the operating voltage from the power supply means; and
drive signal generation means for generating the forward or backward drive signal to supplying to the piezoelectric actuator in response to the first clock signal from the clock generation means and the operating voltage from the power supply means under the forwardbackward drive signal generation control of the drive control means.
2. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive control means includes:
an operation controller for outputting an operation enable signal to the drive signal generation means in response to the operation ON select signal and the operating voltage from the power supply means; and
a buffer for outputting a forwardbackward select signal to the drive signal generation means in response to the forwardbackward driving select signal.
3. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power supply means includes:
a boost circuit for boosting an input voltage to a predetermined voltage in response to a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal;
a feedback controller for detecting an output voltage from the boost circuit to output a feedback voltage; and
a PWM controller for controlling a duty ratio of a second clock signal from the clock generation means according to the feedback voltage from the feedback controller to provide the PWM signal to the boost circuit,
wherein the predetermined voltage or feedback voltage is supplied as the operating voltage.
4. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the clock generation means includes:
a reference clock generator for generating a reference clock signal;
a first frequency divider for dividing a frequency of the reference clock signal in a first predetermined ratio to provide the first clock signal; and
a second frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the reference clock signal in a second predetermined ratio to generate two clock signals having different duty ratios, and providing one of the generated clock signals as the second clock signal according to a level of the operating voltage from the power supply means.
5. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the second frequency divider includes:
a voltage divider for dividing the operating voltage from the power supply means to detect a desired voltage;
a comparator for comparing the voltage detected by the voltage divider with a predetermined reference voltage and outputting a switching signal based on a result of the comparison;
a duty adjuster for dividing the frequency of the reference clock signal in the second predetermined ratio to generate the two clock signals with the different duty ratios; and
a switch for selecting one of the two clock signals from the duty adjuster in response to the switching signal from the comparator and outputting the selected clock signal as the second clock signal to the power supply means.
6. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the drive signal generation means includes:
a shift register including n flip-flops forming a ring structure, the flip-flops sequentially outputting high signals in response to the first clock signal from the clock generation means;
a waveform generation controller for controlling the generation of the forward or backward drive signal using the sequential high signals from the shift register in response to the forwardbackward select signal from the drive control means while the operation enable signal from the drive control means is inputted; and
a drive waveform generator for generating the forward or backward drive signal using the operating voltage from the power supply means under the control of the waveform generation controller, the forward or backward drive signal generated by the drive waveform generator including first and second drive waves having a phase difference of about 90\xb0 therebetween.
7. A piezoelectric actuator drive system comprising:
power supply means for supplying an operating voltage;
drive control means for controlling selection of one of first and second piezoelectric actuators and generation of a forwardbackward drive signal for the selected piezoelectric actuator in response to an operation ON select signal, a piezoelectric actuator select signal and a forwardbackward driving select signal;
clock generation means for generating a first clock signal in response to the operating voltage from the power supply means;
drive signal generation means for generating the forward or backward drive signal in response to the first clock signal from the clock generation means and the operating voltage from the power supply means under the forwardbackward drive signal generation control of the drive control means; and
a piezoelectric actuator selector for selecting one of the first and second piezoelectric actuators under the piezoelectric actuator selection control of the drive control means and supplying the forward or backward drive signal generated by the drive signal generation means to the selected piezoelectric actuator.
8. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the drive control means includes:
an operation controller for outputting an operation enable signal to the drive signal generation means in response to the operation ON select signal and the operating voltage from the power supply means;
a buffer for outputting a forwardbackward select signal to the drive signal generation means in response to the forwardbackward driving select signal; and
a switching controller for supplying a plurality of switching signals to the piezoelectric actuator selector in response to the piezoelectric actuator select signal and the operation enable signal from the operation controller to select one of the first and second piezoelectric actuators.
9. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the power supply means includes:
a boost circuit for boosting an input voltage to a predetermined voltage in response to a PWM signal;
a feedback controller for detecting an output voltage from the boost circuit to output a feedback voltage; and
a PWM controller for controlling a duty ratio of a second clock signal from the clock generation means according to the feedback voltage from the feedback controller to provide the PWM signal to the boost circuit,
wherein the predetermined voltage or feedback voltage is supplied as the operating voltage.
10. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the clock generation means includes:
a reference clock generator for generating a reference clock signal;
a first frequency divider for dividing a frequency of the reference clock signal in a first predetermined ratio to provide the first clock signal; and
a second frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the reference clock signal in a second predetermined ratio to generate two clock signals having different duty ratios, and providing one of the generated clock signals as the second clock signal according to a level of the operating voltage from the power supply means.
11. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the second frequency divider includes:
a voltage divider for dividing the operating voltage from the power supply means to detect a desired voltage;
a comparator for comparing the voltage detected by the voltage divider with a predetermined reference voltage and outputting a switching signal based on a result of the comparison;
a duty adjuster for dividing the frequency of the reference clock signal in the second predetermined ratio to generate the two clock signals with the different duty ratios; and
a switch for selecting one of the two clock signals from the duty adjuster in response to the switching signal from the comparator and outputting the selected clock signal as the second clock signal to the power supply means.
12. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the drive signal generation means includes:
a shift register including n flip-flops forming a ring structure, the flip-flops sequentially outputting high signals in response to the first clock signal from the clock generation means;
a waveform generation controller for controlling the generation of the forward or backward drive signal using the sequential high signals from the shift register in response to the forwardbackward select signal from the drive control means while the operation enable signal from the drive control means is inputted; and
a drive waveform generator for generating the forward or backward drive signal using the operating voltage from the power supply means under the control of the waveform generation controller, the forward or backward drive signal generated by the drive waveform generator including first and second drive waves having a phase difference of about 90\xb0 therebetween.
13. The piezoelectric actuator drive system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric actuator selector is adapted to select one of the first and second piezoelectric actuators in response to the switching signals from the drive control means and supply the forward or backward drive signal generated by the drive signal generation means to the selected piezoelectric actuator.