Remote network device for controlling the operation voltage of network devices

• US 6,381,700 B1
• Filed: 07/06/1998
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pcphase Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fukiko Yoshida
• Inventors: Yoshida, Fumiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Application Number:
  US09/110,323
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/222, 709/223, 709/243, 713/201, 713/202, 713/200, 713/340, 713/300, 713/310, 713/330
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C

Abstract

A method and apparatus for enhancing computer security while controllably enabling online remote access for power-up to a computer at a far cite and also offering functions adaptable for communication protocols accommodating network architecture. To this end, a remote network device is provided which includes a switch module on the power supply line coupled to a CPU and to more than one personal computer (PC) hardware resource connected to the CPU. The switch module is operable to switch the operation voltages of the CPU and hardware resources. The device also includes a stand-by module on a signal transmit/receive line for use with the CPU and PC hardware resources in transmitting and receiving signals to and from external communication facility associated therewith. The standby module comes with its own drive power supply independent of the PC'"'"'s power supply, and is normally rendered operative in any communication events. The standby module includes an identifier unit and controller. The identifier is for identifying one or both of ID data and password involved in an externally supplied signal to provide identification (ID) data. The controller is responsive to this ID data for controlling switching operations of the switch module.

Claims

1. A remote network device operatively coupled to a microprocessor, a plurality of hardware resources connected to the microprocessor, a power supply for supply power to the microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources, and an external communication network, wherein

the remote network device is placed on a power supply path connecting between the power supply and both of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources and also on a signal transmission path connecting said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources to the external communication network, and

the device includes a switch module for performing switching of an operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources, and a stand-by module having a drive power supply independent of said power supply and normally remaining operative,

said stand-by module comprising identifier means for identifying at least one of an ID information and a password information being added to a signal as received from said external communication network, and control means operatively responsive to an identification result of said identifier means for controlling said switch module to thereby control the switching of said operation voltage,

wherein after turning on the operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources in response to a signal as received from the external communication network, ID information and password information are generated for addition to a transmission signal, which are different from one or both of the ID information and password information added to said signal received.

2. The remote network device according to claim 1, further comprising encryption demodulator means for encrypting a transmission signal sent externally and for decrypting an encrypted signal received externally.

3. A network system including at least one computer with the remote network device built therein according to claim 1.

4. A remote network device operatively coupled to a microprocessor, a plurality of hardware resources connected to the microprocessor, a power supply for supply power to the microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources, and an external communication network, wherein

the remote network device is placed on a power supply path connecting between the power supply and both of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources and also on a signal transmission path connecting said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources to the external communication network, and

the device includes a switch module for performing switching of an operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources, and a stand-by module having a drive power supply independent of said power supply and normally remaining operative,

said stand-by module comprising identifier means for identifying at least one of an ID information and a password information being added to a signal as received from said external communication network, and control manes operatively responsive to an identification result of said identifier means for controlling said switch module to thereby control the switching of said operation voltage,

further comprising control means response to an identification result of said identification means for selectively switching operation voltage of said plurality of hardware resources,

wherein after turning on the operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources in response to a signal as received from the external communication network, ID information and password information are generated for addition to a transmission signal, which are different from one or both of the ID information and password information added to said signal received.

5. A remote device operatively coupled to a microprocessor, a plurality of hardware resources connected to the microprocessor, a power supply for supply power to the microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources, and an external communication network, wherein

the remote network device is placed on a power supply path connecting between the power supply and both of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources and also on a signal transmission path connecting said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources to the external communication network, and

the device includes a switch module for performing switching of an operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources, and a stand-by module having a drive power supply independent of said power supply and normally remaining operative,

said stand-by module comprising identifier means for identifying at least one of an ID information and a password information being added to a signal as received from said external communication network, and control means operatively responsive to an identification result of said identifier means for controlling said switch module to thereby control the switching of said operation voltage,

wherein said stand-by module is operable to recognize the operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources in constant time intervals, and wherein said stand-by module comprises recognition means for controlling said switch module in accordance with a recognition result to control switching of said operation voltage, and transfer means for externally transferring a recognition result of said recognition means,

wherein after turning on the operation voltage of said microprocessor and said plurality of hardware resources in response to a signal as received from the external communication network, ID information and password information are generated for addition to a transmission signal, which are different from one or both of the ID information and password information added to said signal received.