Computer system with power control circuit
First Claim
1. A computer system energized by a depletable energy source coupled to selectively energize the elements of said computer system, said computer system operable in an off/rest mode, a power down mode, and an operating mode, comprising:
- (a) data input means for entering data into said computer system;
(b) decoding means coupled to said data input means and operable in the power down mode for decoding data received from said data input means and for providing a data available manifestation indicative of the availability of decoded data;
(c) actuatable means for providing upon actuation a transition manifestation;
(d) memory means for storing a program;
(e) processor means energized in its operating mode for executing the program to process the decoded data derived from said decoding means; and
(f) power control means coupled to said actuatable means and to said depletable energy source for variously energizing the elements of said computer system in its off/rest mode at a low power level, its power down mode at an intermediate power level, and its operating mode at a high power level, said power control means comprising a storage element continuously energized by said depletable energy source and responsive to the transition manifestation of said actuatable means to dispose said computer system from its off/rest mode to its power down mode wherein said decoding means is energized by said depletable energy source, said power control means coupled to said decoding means and responsive to the data available manifestation to dispose said computer system from its power down to its operating mode, wherein said processor means is energized to execute the stored program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital computer system is described as comprising an input data circuit, a processor for executing a program stored in a memory to process the inputted data, a depletable energy source (e.g., a battery) for energizing the elements of the computer system, and a power control circuit for selectively controlling the drain imposed upon the energy source in accordance with the data input into the system and the program executed by the processor. In an illustrative embodiment of this invention, the power control circuit is operative in at least three modes of operation, namely off/rest, power down, and operating. In the off/rest mode, the power control circuit imposes a minimum power drain upon the depletable energy source. An operator may manipulate a switch or actuation means to apply a transition signal to the power control, whereby the computer system is disposed from its off/rest mode to its power down mode. In the power down mode, the control circuit applies power at an intermediate level to the data input means. In an illustrative embodiment of this invention, the data input means includes a keyboard and a decoder for providing a signal indicative that one of the keys has been depressed. Upon actuation of the key, a data available signal DA is transmitted to the power control circuit, whereby the computer system is disposed in its operating mode, wherein all of the elements of the computer system are energized at a high power level. In its operating mode, the processor and its memory are fully energized to execute the stored program.
141 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer system energized by a depletable energy source coupled to selectively energize the elements of said computer system, said computer system operable in an off/rest mode, a power down mode, and an operating mode, comprising:
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(a) data input means for entering data into said computer system; (b) decoding means coupled to said data input means and operable in the power down mode for decoding data received from said data input means and for providing a data available manifestation indicative of the availability of decoded data; (c) actuatable means for providing upon actuation a transition manifestation; (d) memory means for storing a program; (e) processor means energized in its operating mode for executing the program to process the decoded data derived from said decoding means; and (f) power control means coupled to said actuatable means and to said depletable energy source for variously energizing the elements of said computer system in its off/rest mode at a low power level, its power down mode at an intermediate power level, and its operating mode at a high power level, said power control means comprising a storage element continuously energized by said depletable energy source and responsive to the transition manifestation of said actuatable means to dispose said computer system from its off/rest mode to its power down mode wherein said decoding means is energized by said depletable energy source, said power control means coupled to said decoding means and responsive to the data available manifestation to dispose said computer system from its power down to its operating mode, wherein said processor means is energized to execute the stored program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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13. Programming apparatus energized by a depletable energy source for programming a pacemaker as to its operation to control the application of its stimulating pulses to a patient'"'"'s heart, the depletable energy source coupled to selectively energize the elements of said apparatus, said apparatus operable in an off/rest mode, a power down mode, an operating mode, and a transmitting mode, said pacemaker including memory means for receiving and storing signals indicative of its operation, and generator means responsive to the stored signals for providing corresponding stimulating pulses to the patient'"'"'s heart, said programming apparatus comprising:
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(a) a keyboard comprising a plurality of actuable keys for receiving and entering by operator manipulation data indicative of the pacemaker'"'"'s operation in which to program said pacemaker; (b) decoder means coupled to said keyboard and responsive to the actuation of a key of said keyboard to provide a manifestation of the actuated key and a data available manifestation; (c) actuatable means for initiating upon actuation the operation of said programming apparatus; (d) memory means for storing a program; (e) processor means for executing said program to process the manifestation indicative of the actuated key derived from said decoder means and after processing the actuated key manifestation to provide a transmit ready manifestation; (f) transmitter means operable in the transmitting mode for transmitting the processed operation data to said pacemaker; and (g) power control means coupled to said actuatable means and to the depletable energy source for variously energizing the elements of said programming apparatus in its off/rest mode at a low power level and a low voltage level, its power down mode at an intermediate power level and the low voltage level, its operating mode at a high power level and a low voltage level, and its transmitting mode at a high power level and a high voltage level, said power control means comprising a storage element continuously energized by said energy source and responsive to the actuation of said actuatable means to dispose said programming apparatus from its off/rest mode to its power down mode wherein said decoder means is energized by the energy source, said power control means coupled to said decoder means and responsive to the data available manifestation of said energized decoder means for disposing said programming apparatus from its power down to its operating mode, wherein said processor means is energized to execute the stored program, said power control means coupled to said processor means and responsive to the transmit ready manifestation for operating said computer system in its transmitter mode and for applying the high voltage level to said transmitter means. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification