Method and computer for remote communication while operating in a power-saving mode

• US 7,502,635 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2000
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Keiji, Oie, Masaki, Maruichi, Tomoki, Horikoshi, Hideto, Yamazaki, Mitsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah; Charles N
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONTEE, JOY KIMBERLY
• Application Number:
  US09/625,762
• Time in Patent Office: 3,149 Days
• Field of Search: 455/574, 455/343, 455/425, 455/434, 455/442, 455/343.6, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/558, 375/219, 375/222, 713/300, 713/320, 713/325, 340/825.22, 340/10.33, 340/7.35, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.02, 340/825.52, 340/825.36
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3209 Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections

Abstract

A computer and a method for enabling remote communication to a computer operating in a power-saving mode in which one or more one power sources to internal devices are disabled. The computer is equipped with a power management control circuit which is responsive to a first signal indicating that a device used to receive remote communication is to receive power while operating in a power-saving mode. In the event that a remote communications is detected which is targeted for the computer, a second signal is asserted by the remote communications device. The power management control circuit responds by exiting the power-saving mode and restoring power to the disabled power source to enable the computer to process the incoming communication. The remote communication may be through a wireless source such as a radio frequency channel or through a fixed wire such as a telephone network or LAN. Other aspects of the invention enable communication through an option card installed in a option slot or a notebooks docking station such as a radio device, modem, or LAN adapter.

Claims

1. A method for receiving a wireless signal by a computer adapted to operate in a power-saving mode, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of status bits to indicate whether or not a RF module is attached to said computer and is activated;

detecting within said computer a wireless signal representing a bit sequence when said computer is operating in a power-saving mode, wherein said wireless signal is targeted for said computer;

determining whether said RF module is attached to said computer and is activated by reading said plurality of status bits;

exiting said power-saving mode only if said RF module is attached to said computer and is activated;

regenerating some or all of said bit sequence of said wireless signal; and

storing said some or all of said bit sequence of said wireless signal in a memory after exiting said power-saving mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting further includes detecting a particular identification tag embedded in said bit sequence.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein wireless signal is transmitted through a radio frequency channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said bit sequence includes a request for said computer to exit said power-saving mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said bit sequence includes a request to resume execution of a program that has been suspended when said computer is in said power-saving mode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further includes setting a field effect transistor (FET) switch to maintain power to a receiving means prior to entering said power-saving mode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further includes:

processing information conveyed by said bit sequence; and

automatically returning to said power-saving mode after said processing.

8. A computer for receiving a wireless signal while in a power-saving mode, said computer comprising:

a receiving means adapted to detect a wireless signal representing a sequence of bits, wherein said receiving means is adapted to regenerate some or all of said bit sequence, wherein said wireless signal is targeted for said computer;

a plurality of status bits for indicating whether or not a RF module is attached to said computer and is activated;

a power-saving mode control means adapted to exit said power-saving mode only if said plurality of status bits indicate said RF module is attached to said computer and is activated;

a field effect transistor (FET) switch for enabling power to said receiving means when said computer is in said power-saving mode; and

a memory for storing said some or all of said regenerated bit sequence after said computer has exited said power-saving mode.

9. The computer of claim 8, wherein said receiving means is an optional attachment to said computer.

10. The computer of claim 8, wherein said receiving means is formed in a device bay cover.

11. The computer of claim 10, wherein said device bay cover is an optional attachment to said computer.