Method and apparatus for secure remote control of power-on state for computers
First Claim
1. A mechanism for remotely controlling the power-on state of a host computer, comprising:
- an RS-232 receive line on the host computer;
a power switch debounce circuit on the host computer, the debounce circuit having a debounced output;
a power control input on the host computer; and
a microcontroller having a power control output and having an input configured to sense the state of the RS-232 receive line;
wherein the power control input on the host computer is driven by the logical OR of the power control output and the debounced output, and wherein the microcontroller is operable to detect commands on the RS-232 receive line and to vary the state of the power control output responsive to the detected commands.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A secure mechanism for remotely controlling the power-on state of a host computer: A microcontroller in the host computer is supplied with standby power even when system power to the host computer is turned off. The microcontroller senses the state of the host computer'"'"'s RS-232 receive line so that commands may be sent to the microcontroller over an RS-232 connection to the host computer. An output of the microcontroller is logically ORed with the output of a power switch debounce circuit of the host computer. The output of the logical OR function is used to manipulate the power-on state of the host computer. The microcontroller may be programmed to respond to numerous commands.
50 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A mechanism for remotely controlling the power-on state of a host computer, comprising:
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an RS-232 receive line on the host computer; a power switch debounce circuit on the host computer, the debounce circuit having a debounced output; a power control input on the host computer; and a microcontroller having a power control output and having an input configured to sense the state of the RS-232 receive line; wherein the power control input on the host computer is driven by the logical OR of the power control output and the debounced output, and wherein the microcontroller is operable to detect commands on the RS-232 receive line and to vary the state of the power control output responsive to the detected commands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for remotely controlling the power-on state of a host computer, comprising the steps of:
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coupling a microcontroller input to an RS-232 receive line of the host computer; coupling the logical OR of a power control output of the microcontroller and an output of a power switch debounce circuit of the host computer to a power control input of the host computer; and controlling the power-on state of the host computer by sending commands to the microcontroller from a remote location using the RS-232 receive line and causing the microcontroller to manipulate the state of the power control output responsive to the commands. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A mechanism for remotely controlling a power state of a host computer, comprising:
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logic configured to be coupled to an RS-232 receive line for the host computer and further configured to detect commands communicated across the RS-232 receive line from a remote source; logic configured to receive a power enable signal generated by the host computer; and logic for generating a power control output that is based on both the detected commands and a state of the power enable signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification