Power controller using keyboard and computer interface

• US 5,347,167 A
• Filed: 12/07/1992
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sophisticated Circuits, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sophisticated Circuits, Inc.
• Inventors: Singh, Amar
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US07/987,540
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 307/125, 307/116, 307/139, 307/140, 379/93, 379/95, 379/97, 379/98, 379/102, 395/725, 364/480, 364/483, 364/492, 364/493, 340/310 R, 340/310 A
• US Class Current: 307/125
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip

Abstract

A power control device which incorporates a microcontroller to control the switching of power of a plurality of outlets. A host computer communicates with the microcontroller through the computer'"'"'s keyboard interface to instruct the device to turn on or off one or more of the outlets either immediately or at one or more preset future times. An operator communicates with the microcontroller through the computer'"'"'s keyboard intercede to instruct the device to initiate a sequence of pro-programmed on/off events.

Claims

1. An external power control device for providing power to a computer having an operating system and at least one peripheral device comprising:

a means for connecting said device to an AC power source;

3. A power control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the keyboard is connected to the data port that sends said first signal.

4. A power control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

said power control device further comprises a means for filtering noise from said AC power source.

2. a means for suppressing surges from said AC power source;

a plurality of connectors for allowing the computer and at least one peripheral device to be connected to said power control device;

a means for connecting said device to a data port of the computer;

a means for receiving a first signal from the data port;

a means for providing power to the computer and at least one peripheral device in response to said first signal;

said device further comprises a means for receiving a second signal from the data port and means for cutting power from the computer and at least one peripheral device in response to said second signal;

said second signal is a shut down command sent from the operating system of the computer;

wherein said first signal is sent to said power control device from an input device of the computer, and the input device of the computer is an individual key on a keyboard of the computer.

5. A power control device for providing power to a computer system, comprising:

a means for connecting said device to an AC power source;

at least one connector for allowing the computer system to be connected to said power control device;

a means for receiving instructions from the computer system, said instructions comprising time and date information for powering up the computer system at a pre-programmed time and date;

a means for providing power to the computer system at said pre-programmed time and date;

said power control device further comprises clock means for keeping current time and date information within said device, said clock means used to compare information received previously from said computer instruction to power up the computer system at said pre-programmed time and date;

said power control device further comprises a microcontroller for storing, receiving, and processing instructions related to the power up and power off of the computer system;

wherein, the computer system can be automatically powered on by said power control device when the computer system is unattended by any operator.

6. An external power control device for providing power to a computer and at least one peripheral device, comprising:

a means for connecting said device to an AC power source;

a plurality of connectors for allowing the computer and at least one peripheral device to be connected to said power control device;

a means for selectively transmitting power to one or more of said plurality to connectors;

a means for receiving instructions from the computer, said instructions comprising information on the selective transmission of power to the computer and any peripheral devices connected to said plurality of connectors;

wherein, the computer and any combination of peripheral devices may be powered up selectively by said control device.