Computer auto shut-off control method

• US 6,598,168 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Power Digital Communications Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Power Digital Communications Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): BUTLER, DENNIS
• Application Number:
  US09/567,221
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/310, 713/320, 713/330, 713/340
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24

Abstract

A computer auto shut-off control method used in a vehicle to shut off a computer in the vehicle subject to a normal procedure when the ignition switch of the vehicle is shut off abnormally. The method includes the step of installing a shut-off controller in between the personal computer and the battery power supply of the vehicle, enabling the shut-off controller to monitor the status of battery power supply and the status of the personal computer, to send an OFF signal to drive the personal computer into the shut-off mode when the ignition switch of the vehicle is off and the power switch of the personal computer is on, and to cut off power supply from the personal computer when receive a feedback OFF recognition signal from the personal computer.

Claims

1. A computer auto shut-off control method comprising the steps of:

(a). installing a shut-off controller in between a personal computer and the battery power supply of a vehicle;

(b) providing an input/output port with said personal computer to receive an OFF signal and to send an ON/OFF recognition signal;

(c) driving said shut-off controller to receive an ON/OFF signal from the ignition switch of said vehicle, to receive an ON/OFF recognition signal from said input/output port, and to send an OFF signal to said personal computer through said input/output port;

(d) connecting said battery power supply to said personal computer when the ignition switch of said vehicle and the power switch of said personal computer are switched on;

(e) sending an OFF signal to said personal computer to drive said personal computer into a shut-off mode when the ignition switch of said vehicle is off and said personal computer is not shut off; and

(f) waiting a feedback OFF recognition signal from said personal computer, and then automatically cutting off power supply from said personal computer after receipt of a feedback OFF recognition signal from said personal computer.

2. The computer auto shut-off control method of claim 1 wherein said shut-off controller comprises a power filter to receive and filtrate battery power supply from said vehicle, a control unit to process external incoming signal and internal outgoing driving signal, and means controlled by said control unit to connect power supply to or cut off power supply from said personal computer.

3. The computer auto shut-off control method of claim 1 further comprising the step of counting the off time of the ignition switch of said vehicle subject to a predetermined length of time before sending an OFF signal to said personal computer to drive said personal computer into a shut-off mode when the ignition switch of said vehicle is off and said personal computer is not shut off.

4. The computer auto shut-off control method of claim 3 wherein said predetermined length of time is set within about 5˜

11 seconds.

5. The computer auto shut-off method of claim 1 further comprising the step of counting the waiting time subject to a predetermined length of time when waiting a feedback OFF recognition signal from said personal computer and before cutting off power supply from said personal computer after receipt of a feedback OFF recognition signal from said personal computer.

6. The computer auto shut-off method of claim 5 wherein said predetermined length of time is set within about 30˜

60 seconds.

7. The computer auto shut-off method of claim 5 further comprising the step of automatically cutting off power supply from said personal computer when said shut-off controller received no feedback OFF recognition signal from said personal computer after said predetermined length of time is up.

8. A computer auto shut-off control method comprising the steps of:

(a). installing a shut-off controller in between a personal computer and the battery power supply of a vehicle;

(b) providing an input/output port with said personal computer to receive an OFF signal and to send an ON/OFF recognition signal;

(c) driving said shut-off controller to receive an ON/OFF signal from the ignition switch of said vehicle, to receive an ON/OFF recognition signal from said input/output port, and to send an OFF signal to said personal computer through said input/output port;

(d) connecting said battery power supply to said personal computer when the ignition switch of said vehicle and the power switch of said personal computer are switched on;

(e) sending an OFF signal to said personal computer to drive said personal computer into a shut-off mode when the ignition switch of said vehicle is off and said personal computer is not shut off;

(f) automatically sending an OFF signal to said personal computer to drive said personal computer into a shut-off mode when the ignition switch of said vehicle is off and said personal computer is not shut off; and

(g) automatically cutting off power supply from said personal computer after waiting a predetermined length of time delay.

9. The computer auto shut-off control method of claim 8 wherein said shut-off controller comprises a power filter to receive and filtrate battery power supply from said vehicle, a control unit to process external incoming signal and internal outgoing driving signal, and means controlled by said control unit to connect power supply to or cut off power supply from said personal computer.

10. The computer auto shut-off control method of claim 8 further comprising the step of counting the off time of the ignition switch of said vehicle subject to a predetermined length of time before sending an OFF signal to said personal computer to drive said personal computer into a shut-off mode when the ignition switch of said vehicle is off and said personal computer is not shut off.

11. The computer auto shut-off control method of claim 10 wherein said predetermined length of time is set within about 5˜

11 seconds.

12. The computer auto shut-off method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined length of time delay is set within about 30˜

60 seconds.