METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING COMPUTER PERIPHERAL SAFETY

• US 20130024704A1
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Barthe, Peter G., Slayton, Michael H., Kouklev, Vadim, Jaeger, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,868,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips

Abstract

A method and system for enhancing computer peripheral safety are configured to monitor and/or isolate alternating current (A.C.) supplies with and/or from any peripheral subsystems or devices. An exemplary method and system comprises an A.C. supply, a host computer system, and a peripheral subsystem or device connected to the host computer system, such as an ultrasound imaging and/or therapy peripheral, and an isolation subsystem configured for monitoring and/or isolating the A.C. supply from the peripheral subsystem or device. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an isolation subsystem comprises application software and associated modules and functions that when executed continuously monitors and/or polls the host computer'"'"'s hardware and/or operating system for the presence of an isolated source, such as a battery, or an unisolated power source, such as through a battery charger and/or other connection path to the A.C. main supply.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating computer peripheral safety, said computer-implemented method comprising:

determining whether a host computer is being powered by an unisolated power source comprising an A.C. power supply;

providing a warning function to a peripheral system user if said host computer is powered by the A.C. power supply; and

continuing operation of said peripheral system until an acknowledgement is received from the peripheral system user before disabling any functions within said peripheral system.