US5594672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Peripheral power saver
Assignee: Micro Energetics Corp
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Filing: 1994-05-20
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2014-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A device that saves energy by turning on power to a peripheral device such as a printer only when a host computer sends data to its I/O port. When the peripheral device requires a warm-up period, the device will mediate the transition of the peripheral between a power-off state and a ready state by using a hold-off timer function.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Hicks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/325; G06F1/3284; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for turning on and off a computer peripheral, comprising: a. a means for monitoring the data from a computer data port; b. a means for supplying power to a regulated power outlet when data is present at said computer data port; c. a means for turning-off power to said regulated power outlet in the absence of data at said computer data port for a period of time: and d. a means for mediating the transition between a power off and peripheral ready state through the use of a hold-off timer function, comprising: a. requesting at most, the maximum number of bytes that can fit in one computer register from said computer data port at intervals to maintain a peripheral ready state in said host computer; b. buffering requested data; c. monitoring said computer peripheral for a ready signal; and d. sending data from the buffer when peripheral is ready to receive data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for turning on and off a computer peripheral, comprising: a. a means for monitoring the data from a computer data port; b. a means for supplying power to a regulated power outlet when data is present at said computer data port; c. a means for turning-off power to said regulated power outlet in the absence of data at said computer data port for a period of time: and d. a means for mediating the transition between a power off and peripheral ready state through the use of a hold-off timer function, comprising: a. requesting at most, the maximum number of bytes that can fit in one computer register from said computer data port at intervals to maintain a peripheral ready state in said host computer; b. buffering requested data; c. monitoring said computer peripheral for a ready signal; and d. sending data from the buffer when peripheral is ready to receive data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
A process for controlling the power usage of a computer peripheral through the activity at a data port, comprising: a. monitoring the host computer's data port for activity; b. supplying power to a computer peripheral when said computer data port is active; c. controlling data flow from host computer using a hold-off function comprising: a. requesting at most, the maximum number of bytes that can fit in one computer register from said computer data port at intervals to maintain a peripheral ready state in said host computer; b. buffering requested data; c. monitoring said computer peripheral for a ready signal; and d. sending data from the buffer when said computer peripheral is ready to receive data; d. monitoring the host computer data port for inactivity; and e. removing power to said computer peripheral if the computer data port has been inactive for a period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
A process for controlling the power usage of a computer peripheral through the activity at a data port, comprising: a. monitoring the host computer's data port for activity; b. supplying power to a computer peripheral when said computer data port is active; c. controlling data flow from host computer using a hold-off function comprising: a. requesting at most, the maximum number of bytes that can fit in one computer register from said computer data port at intervals to maintain a peripheral ready state in said host computer; b. buffering requested data; c. monitoring said computer peripheral for a ready signal; and d. sending data from the buffer when said computer peripheral is ready to receive data; d. monitoring the host computer data port for inactivity; and e. removing power to said computer peripheral if the computer data port has been inactive for a period of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |