Key lock system for personal computer

Claim 2

Apparatus for controlling the transition of first and second devices each between first and second operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch for transitioning said first device between said states; a second switch for transitioning said second device between said states; and a control circuit coupled to said first and second devices and to said first and second switches, wherein said control circuit operates in a first mode for enabling said first and second switches to transition said first and second devices respectively between said states, and operates in a second mode for disabling said first switch from transitioning said first device between said states and for disabling said second switch from transitioning said second device from said first operating state to said second operating state, but still allowing said second switch to transition said second device from said second operating state to said first operating state.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control switch connected to said control circuit for selecting either said first mode or said second mode operation.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control switch is key actuated.

Claim 5

Apparatus for controlling the transition of the power supply and reset circuitry of a personal computer each between active and inactive operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch for transitioning said power supply between said states; a second switch for transitioning said reset circuitry between said states; and a control circuit coupled to said power supply, to said reset circuitry and to said first and second switches, wherein said control circuit operates in a first mode for enabling said first switch to transition said power supply between said states and for enabling said second switch to transition said reset circuitry between said states, and operates in a second mode for disabling said first switch from transitioning said power supply between said states and for disabling said second switch from transitioning said reset circuitry from said inactive operating state to said active operating state, but still allowing said second switch to transition said reset circuitry from said active operating state to said inactive operating state.

Claim 6

Apparatus for controlling the transition of the power supply and reset circuitry of a personal computer each between active and inactive operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch for transitioning said power supply between said states; a second switch for transitioning said reset circuitry between said states; and a control circuit coupled to said power supply, to said reset circuitry and to said first and second switches, wherein said control circuit operates in a first mode for enabling said first switch to transition said power supply between said states and for enabling said second switch to transition said reset circuitry between said states, and operates in a second mode for disabling said first switch from transitioning said power supply between said states and for disabling said second switch from transitioning said reset circuitry from said inactive operating state to said active operating state, but still allowing said second switch to transition said reset circuitry from said active operating state to said inactive operating state.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a control switch connected to said control circuit for selecting either said first mode or said second mode operation.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control switch is key actuated.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control switch is actuated by computer program instructions.

Claim 10

Apparatus for controlling the transition of the power supply and reset circuitry of a personal computer each between active and inactive operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch responsive to user actuation for generating a first signal to transition said power supply between said states; a second switch responsive to user actuation for generating a second signal to transition said reset circuitry between said states; a control circuit receiving said first signal and said second signal and generating control signals for transitioning said power supply and said reset circuitry between said states, said control circuit operating in a first mode wherein said control signals are generated responsive to said first signal and said second signal to transition said power supply and said reset circuitry, respectively, between said states, and operating in a second mode wherein said control signals are not generated responsive to said first signal and are generated responsive to said second signal only for transitioning said reset circuitry from said active operating state to said inactive operating state; and a control switch connected to said control circuit and responsive to user key actuation for generating a mode signal to said control circuit to select either said first mode or said second mode operation.

Claim 11

Apparatus for controlling the transition of the power supply and reset circuitry of a personal computer each between active and inactive operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch responsive to user actuation for generating a first signal to transition said power supply between said states; a second switch responsive to user actuation for generating a second signal to transition said reset circuitry between said states; a control circuit receiving said first signal and said second signal and generating control signals for transitioning said power supply and said reset circuitry between said states, said control circuit operating in a first mode wherein said control signals are generated responsive to said first signal and said second signal to transition said power supply and said reset circuitry, respectively, between said states, and operating in a second mode wherein said control signals are not generated responsive to said first signal and are generated responsive to said second signal only for transitioning said reset circuitry from said active operating state to said inactive operating state; and a control switch connected to said control circuit and responsive to user key actuation for generating a mode signal to said control circuit to select either said first mode or said second mode operation.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a first debounce circuit connected between said first switch and said control circuit for debouncing said first signal generated by said first switch before its receipt by said control circuit.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a second debounce circuit connected between said second switch and said control circuit for debouncing said second signal generated by said second switch before its receipt by said control circuit.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a third debounce circuit connected between said control switch and said control circuit for debouncing said mode signal generated by said control switch before its receipt by said control circuit.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first switch comprises a two-position switch actuatable between a closed-contact position and an open-contact position.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second switch comprises a momentary contact switch.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said control circuit comprises a programmable array logic (PAL) device.

Claim 18

Apparatus for controlling the transition of the power supply and reset circuitry of a personal computer each between active and inactive operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch responsive to user actuation for generating a first signal to transition said power supply between said states; a second switch responsive to user actuation for generating a second signal to transition said reset circuitry between said states; a control circuit receiving said first signal and said second signal and generating control signals for transitioning said power supply and said reset circuitry between said states, said control circuit operating in a first mode wherein said control signals are generated responsive to said first signal and said second signal to transition said power supply and said reset circuitry, respectively, between said states, and operating in a second mode wherein said control signals are not generated responsive to said first signal; and a control switch connected to said control circuit and responsive to user key actuation for generating a mode signal to said control circuit to select either said first mode or said second mode operation.

Claim 19

Apparatus for controlling the transition of the power supply and reset circuitry of a personal computer each between active and inactive operating states, the apparatus comprising: a first switch responsive to user actuation for generating a first signal to transition said power supply between said states; a second switch responsive to user actuation for generating a second signal to transition said reset circuitry between said states; a control circuit receiving said first signal and said second signal and generating control signals for transitioning said power supply and said reset circuitry between said states, said control circuit operating in a first mode wherein said control signals are generated responsive to said first signal and said second signal to transition said power supply and said reset circuitry, respectively, between said states, and operating in a second mode wherein said control signals are not generated responsive to said first signal; and a control switch connected to said control circuit and responsive to user key actuation for generating a mode signal to said control circuit to select either said first mode or said second mode operation.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said control circuit further operates in said second mode wherein said control signals are generated responsive to said second signal only for transitioning said reset circuitry from said active operating state to said inactive operating state.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said control switch is actuated by computer program instructions.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said control switch is key actuated by a mechanical key.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second switch is a momentary contact switch.