Keyboard activated screen blanking
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer system, comprising:
- a bus for transferring information;
a microprocessor coupled to said bus for receiving and transmitting information and controlling various operations of the computer system;
a monitor for displaying video information;
a video controller coupled to said bus and said monitor for providing information received from said bus to said monitor, said video controller including means responsive to a signal for ceasing providing information to said monitor;
a keyboard for receiving data entry and producing signals representative of key operations;
keyboard interface means coupled to said bus, said video controller and said keyboard for providing said key operations to said microprocessor over said bus and providing a signal to said means for ceasing providing information, said keyboard interface means including;
means for storing a key operation sequence for entering a monitor blanking mode and a key sequence for exiting monitor blanking mode;
means for scanning the key operations sequence to determine if said monitor blanking mode entry sequence has been performed;
means coupled to said video controller and to said monitoring blanking mode entry sequence scanning means for entering said monitor blanking mode and signalling said video controller to cease providing information to said monitor after determining performance of said monitor blanking mode entry sequence;
means for scanning the key operation sequence after entry into monitor blanking mode for entry of key operation sequence matching said monitor blanking mode exit sequence; and
means coupled to said video controller and to said monitor blanking mode exit sequence scanning means for exiting said monitor blanking mode after said monitor blanking exit key sequence has been determined and resuming, providing of information to said monitor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard controller which scans entered input sequences for an input sequence to activate a display blanking feature. A password and particular hot key are loaded by the system microprocessor. The keyboard controller then scans until the designated sequence is activated. The display on the monitor is blanked until a password sequence is entered. The password mode may be directly activated from the system microprocessor. The display blanking feature is especially useful in conjunction with a keyboard password lock.
47 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A computer system, comprising:
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a bus for transferring information; a microprocessor coupled to said bus for receiving and transmitting information and controlling various operations of the computer system; a monitor for displaying video information; a video controller coupled to said bus and said monitor for providing information received from said bus to said monitor, said video controller including means responsive to a signal for ceasing providing information to said monitor; a keyboard for receiving data entry and producing signals representative of key operations; keyboard interface means coupled to said bus, said video controller and said keyboard for providing said key operations to said microprocessor over said bus and providing a signal to said means for ceasing providing information, said keyboard interface means including; means for storing a key operation sequence for entering a monitor blanking mode and a key sequence for exiting monitor blanking mode; means for scanning the key operations sequence to determine if said monitor blanking mode entry sequence has been performed; means coupled to said video controller and to said monitoring blanking mode entry sequence scanning means for entering said monitor blanking mode and signalling said video controller to cease providing information to said monitor after determining performance of said monitor blanking mode entry sequence; means for scanning the key operation sequence after entry into monitor blanking mode for entry of key operation sequence matching said monitor blanking mode exit sequence; and means coupled to said video controller and to said monitor blanking mode exit sequence scanning means for exiting said monitor blanking mode after said monitor blanking exit key sequence has been determined and resuming, providing of information to said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for preventing transfer of information to a monitor of a computer system, the computer system having a microprocessor for controlling operations, receiving key operations, and transferring information;
- a keyboard on which to perform key operations;
a video controller coupled to the monitor and the microprocessor for transferring information from the microprocessor to the monitor; and
a keyboard interface means coupled to the microprocessor, the keyboard and the video controller for receiving key operations from the keyboard and providing them to the microprocessor, for receiving commands from the microprocessor, and for transferring signals to the video controller, the method comprising;scanning the key operations sequence until a predetermined sequence is entered; entering monitor blanking mode after determining entry of the predetermined sequence and ceasing providing information to the monitor; scanning the key operations sequence during said monitor blanking mode for an exit sequence; and exiting said monitor blanking mode after determining entry of said exit sequence and resuming providing information to the monitor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
- a keyboard on which to perform key operations;
Specification