US5588054A — Power conservation system for a modem in a comput…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 201 words

A power conservation system for a modem in a computer system having a primary power supply and an auxiliary power supply, comprising: a ring detect circuit coupled to a telephone ring signal line for generating a ring detect signal in response to detection of a ring signal on said telephone ring signal line, said ring detect circuit also being coupled to a power supply voltage for supplying power to said ring detect circuit during a normal mode of operation; a power management system having an input coupled to said ring detect circuit and an output coupled to the primary power supply, said power management system being responsive to said ring detect signal for switching the primary power supply from a first level corresponding to a power conservation mode of operation of the computer system to a second level corresponding to said normal mode of operation; and, wherein said auxiliary power supply is coupled to said ring detect circuit for supplying power to said ring detect circuit when the computer system is in said power conservation mode of operation, whereby said ring detect circuit is maintained in an active state even during said power conservation mode of operation of the computer system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 201 words

A power conservation system for a modem in a computer system having a primary power supply and an auxiliary power supply, comprising: a ring detect circuit coupled to a telephone ring signal line for generating a ring detect signal in response to detection of a ring signal on said telephone ring signal line, said ring detect circuit also being coupled to a power supply voltage for supplying power to said ring detect circuit during a normal mode of operation; a power management system having an input coupled to said ring detect circuit and an output coupled to the primary power supply, said power management system being responsive to said ring detect signal for switching the primary power supply from a first level corresponding to a power conservation mode of operation of the computer system to a second level corresponding to said normal mode of operation; and, wherein said auxiliary power supply is coupled to said ring detect circuit for supplying power to said ring detect circuit when the computer system is in said power conservation mode of operation, whereby said ring detect circuit is maintained in an active state even during said power conservation mode of operation of the computer system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power management system automatically switches the computer system from said normal mode of operation to said power conservation mode of operation when a keyboard of the computer system has been inactive for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power management system automatically cuts off said power supply voltage from said ring detect circuit during said power conservation mode of operation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 53 words

The system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a first leakage current protector connected between said power supply voltage and an output node of said ring detect circuit; and, a second leakage current protector connected between a ring detect signal output terminal and said output node of said ring detect circuit.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second leakage current protectors each comprise a diode.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a power switch having manually selectable on and off states; and, a logic gate having a first input coupled to an output of said power switch, a second input coupled to an output of said power management system, and an output coupled to the primary power supply.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said logic gate comprises a logical OR gate.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system as set forth in claim 4, further comprising: a power switch having manually selectable on and off states; and, a logic gate having a first input coupled to an output of said power switch, a second input coupled to an output of said power management system, and an output coupled to the primary power supply.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said logic gate comprises a logical OR gate.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary power supply continuously supplies power to said ring detect circuit during both said normal and power conservation modes of operation.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary power supply comprises a battery power source.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said auxiliary power supply continuously supplies power to said ring detect circuit during both said normal and power conservation modes of operation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ring detect circuit includes a photcoupler coupled between said telephone line and an output node of said ring detect circuit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said power supply voltage is supplied via an expansion port of the computer system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 199 words

A power conservation system for a modem in a computer system having a primary power supply and an auxiliary power supply, comprising: ring detect means coupled to a telephone ring signal line for generating a ring detect signal in response to detection of a ring signal on said telephone ring signal line, said ring detect means also being coupled to a power supply voltage to supply power to said ring detect means during a normal mode of operation; power management means having an input coupled to said ring detect means and an output coupled to the primary power supply, said power management means being responsive to said ring detect signal for switching the primary power supply from a first level corresponding to a power conservation mode of operation of the computer system to a second level corresponding to said normal mode of operation; and, wherein said auxiliary power supply is coupled to said ring detect means for supplying power to said ring detect means when the computer system is in said power conservation mode of operation, whereby said ring detect circuit is maintained in an active state even during said power conservation mode of operation of the computer system.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 199 words

A power conservation system for a modem in a computer system having a primary power supply and an auxiliary power supply, comprising: ring detect means coupled to a telephone ring signal line for generating a ring detect signal in response to detection of a ring signal on said telephone ring signal line, said ring detect means also being coupled to a power supply voltage to supply power to said ring detect means during a normal mode of operation; power management means having an input coupled to said ring detect means and an output coupled to the primary power supply, said power management means being responsive to said ring detect signal for switching the primary power supply from a first level corresponding to a power conservation mode of operation of the computer system to a second level corresponding to said normal mode of operation; and, wherein said auxiliary power supply is coupled to said ring detect means for supplying power to said ring detect means when the computer system is in said power conservation mode of operation, whereby said ring detect circuit is maintained in an active state even during said power conservation mode of operation of the computer system.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said power management means automatically switches the computer system from said normal mode of operation to said power conservation mode of operation when a keyboard of the computer system has been inactive for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said power management means automatically cuts off said power supply voltage from said ring detect means during said power conservation mode of operation.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system as set forth in claim 15, further comprising: a power switch having manually selectable on and off states; and, a logic gate having a first input coupled to an output of said power switch, a second input coupled to an output of said power management means, and an output coupled to the primary power supply.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 175 words

A power conservation system for a modem in a computer system, comprising: a primary power supply; an auxiliary power supply comprising a battery; a ring detect circuit coupled to a telephone ring signal line for generating a ring detect signal in response to detection of a ring signal on said telephone ring signal line; and a power management system having an input coupled to said ring detect circuit and an output coupled to the primary power supply, said power management system being responsive to said ring detect signal for switching the primary power supply from a first level corresponding to a power conservation mode of operation of the computer system to a second level corresponding to said normal mode of operation, said auxiliary power supply being coupled to said ring detect circuit for supplying power to said ring detect circuit when the computer system is in said power conservation mode of operation, whereby said ring detect circuit is maintained in an active state even during said power conservation mode of operation of the computer system.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 175 words

A power conservation system for a modem in a computer system, comprising: a primary power supply; an auxiliary power supply comprising a battery; a ring detect circuit coupled to a telephone ring signal line for generating a ring detect signal in response to detection of a ring signal on said telephone ring signal line; and a power management system having an input coupled to said ring detect circuit and an output coupled to the primary power supply, said power management system being responsive to said ring detect signal for switching the primary power supply from a first level corresponding to a power conservation mode of operation of the computer system to a second level corresponding to said normal mode of operation, said auxiliary power supply being coupled to said ring detect circuit for supplying power to said ring detect circuit when the computer system is in said power conservation mode of operation, whereby said ring detect circuit is maintained in an active state even during said power conservation mode of operation of the computer system.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said ring detect circuit is also coupled to a power supply voltage for supplying power to said ring detect circuit during a normal mode of operation.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said auxiliary power supply continuously supplies power to said ring detect circuit during both said normal and power conservation modes of operation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-12-24	2000-06-24	2000-12-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-12-24	2004-06-24	2004-12-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-12-24	2008-06-24	2008-12-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Power conservation system for a modem in a computer system

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