Importance

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Abstract

A power-management control subsystem, which is external to an appliance, automatically couples/decouples the power input port of the appliance to/from a power source in response to control signals provided by sensor(s) and possibly in response to additional control signals. A support member is provided that has a plurality of sections including a first section and a second section. The first section provides mechanical support to the external power-management control subsystem. The second section provides mechanical support to the sensor(s). Preferably, the support member is a unitary flat piece of hard metal that is bent to form the plurality of sections. In addition, the first section and second section may extend along parallel directions such that the first section can be affixed to the back surface of the appliance (preferably with a releasable VELCRO strip assembly). In this manner, the first section (and the power-management control subsystem supported thereon) is disposed along the back surface of the appliance, while the second section (and the sensor(s) supported thereon) is disposed above the top surface of the appliance. In addition, the signals output from sensor(s) and provided to the power-management control subsystem may be carried by electrical wiring affixed to the support member.

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First Claim