Device for controlling the application of power to a computer
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use with a modem and a computer for controlling the application of power to the computer, the computer having a power input adapted to receive power from an electrical power source, the apparatus comprising:
- power switching means, adapted to be interposed between the power source and the power input, for controlling the flow of power from the power source to the power input, said power switching means being responsive to a control signal, the assertion of which permits power to flow and the withdrawal of which prevents power from flowing; and
logic means, coupled to said power switching means and adapted to be interposed between the computer and the modem, for controlling said power switching means, said logic means being responsive to a data terminal ready signal (DTR) from the computer and a received line signal detect signal (RLSD) from the modem, said logic means operating as follows;
(a) if RLSD is "true," to assert said control signal,(b) if DTR is "true," to assert said control signal and communicate said "true" value of DTR to the modem, and to communicate thereafter the actual value of DTR to the modem when DTR changes value from "true" to "false," at least until the modem transmits a "false" RLSD to the logic means and(c) if RLSD and DTR are both "false," to withdraw said control signal and to communicate a "true" value for DTR to the modem to keep the modem in an active state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for monitoring the state of the phone line, directly or as reflected by signals from the modem, and controlling the application of power to a computer so that the computer is powered in response to an incoming call. The apparatus includes a controllable power switching element interposed between the power source and the computer'"'"'s power input, and logic circuitry responsive to the state of the phone line or modem interface for controlling the power switching element. An alarm clock also controls the power switching element to power the computer up at a predetermined time.
93 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use with a modem and a computer for controlling the application of power to the computer, the computer having a power input adapted to receive power from an electrical power source, the apparatus comprising:
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power switching means, adapted to be interposed between the power source and the power input, for controlling the flow of power from the power source to the power input, said power switching means being responsive to a control signal, the assertion of which permits power to flow and the withdrawal of which prevents power from flowing; and logic means, coupled to said power switching means and adapted to be interposed between the computer and the modem, for controlling said power switching means, said logic means being responsive to a data terminal ready signal (DTR) from the computer and a received line signal detect signal (RLSD) from the modem, said logic means operating as follows; (a) if RLSD is "true," to assert said control signal, (b) if DTR is "true," to assert said control signal and communicate said "true" value of DTR to the modem, and to communicate thereafter the actual value of DTR to the modem when DTR changes value from "true" to "false," at least until the modem transmits a "false" RLSD to the logic means and (c) if RLSD and DTR are both "false," to withdraw said control signal and to communicate a "true" value for DTR to the modem to keep the modem in an active state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for use with a modem and a computer for controlling the application of power to the computer, the computer having a power input adapted to receive power from an electrical power source, the apparatus comprising:
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power switching means, adapted to be interposed between the power source and the power input, for controlling the flow of power from the power source to the power input, said power switching means being responsive to a control signal, the assertion of which permits power to flow and the withdrawal of which prevents power from flowing; alarm clock means, coupled to said power switching means, for asserting said control signal at a desired time; logic means, coupled to said power switching means and adapted to be interposed between the computer and the modem, for controlling said power switching means, said logic means being responsive to a data terminal ready signal (DTR) from the computer and a received line signal detect signal (RLSD) from the modem, said logic means operating as follows; (a) if RLSD is "true," to assert said cotnrol signal, (b) if DTR is "true," to assert said control signal and communicate said "true" value of DTR to the modem, and (c) if RLSD and DTR are both "false," to withdraw said control signal and to communicate a "true" value for DTR to the modem; and means, coupled to said logic means and said alarm clock means, for providing a signal (RIOUT) to the computer signifying that aid logic means or said alarm clock means has caused the assertion of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. Apparatus for use with a computer and a modem external to the computer for controlling the application of power to the computer, the computer having a power input adapted to receive power from an electrical power source and providing a computer-reasdy signal having a "true" state indicating the computer is ready for communication, and the modem being adapted to be coupled to a communication medium such as a phone line and being further adapted to receive said computer-ready signal, whereby said modem is in an active state for interfacing with a remote communications device when said computer-ready signal is "true," said modem including means for interfacing with a remote communication device over said communication medium, the apparatus comprising:
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power switching means, adapted to be interposed between the power source and said power input, for controlling the flow of power from the power source to the power input, said power switching means being responsive to a control signal, the assertion of which permits power to flow and the withdrawal of which prevents power from flowing; and logic means, coupled to said power switching means, for controlling said power switching means, said logic means being responsive to said computer-ready signal and to a modem-ready signal from said modem having a "true" state indicating an interface with another communication device has been established, said logic means operating as follows; (a) if said modem-ready signal is "true," to assert said control signal, (b) if said computer-ready signal is "true," to assert said control signal and to communicate said "true" value of said computer-ready signal to the modem, said logic means thereafter communicating the actual value of said computer-ready signal to the modem at least until the modem transmits a "false" modem-ready signal to the logic means, and (c) if both said modem-ready signal and computer-ready signal are "false," to withdraw said control signal and to communicate a fake "true" value for said computer-ready signal to the modem to keep the modem in an active state. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for use with a computer and an associated modem for controlling the application of power to the computer, the computer having a power input adapted to receive power from an electrical power source, the modem being adapted to be coupled to a communication medium such as a phone line, said modem having a power input and receiving power independently of the computer, and operating to remain in a powered state regardless of whether the computer is powered or unpowered, the apparatus comprising:
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power switching means, adapted to be interposed between the power source and the power input of the computer, for controlling the flow of power from the power source to the power input of the computer, said power switching means being responsive to a control signal, the assertion of which permits power to flow and the withdrawal of which prevents power from flowing; logic means, coupled to said power switching means, for controlling said power switching means, said logic means being responsive to signals communicated between the modem and the computer, including signals representative of an incoming call to the associated modem, said logic means operating as follows; (a) in response to an incoming call, to assert said control signal, (b) in response to a call in progress, to assert said control signal, and (c) in response to signals indicating neither an incoming call nor a call in progress, to withdraw said control signal; said logic means further comprising power hold-up means responsive to signals indicating a call in progress, for maintaining the assertion of said control signal for a predetermined time interval after the call is terminated; alarm clock means, coupled to said power switching means, for asserting said control signal at a desired time; and means, coupled to said logic means and said alarm clock means, for providing a signal to the computer signifying that said logic means or said alarm clock means has caused the assertion of said control signal.
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Specification