US6104582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storm alert automatic system power-down
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1999-02-02
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Granted: 2000-08-15
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Expires: 2019-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and processes to automatically power-down a computer system upon determination of the presence, imminence, or forecast of severe weather in the local area. A computer system receives data relating to a weather forecast for a particular local area from a weather service communication server and, based on a determination of the presence, imminence or forecast of severe weather in the local area, initiates an automatic power-down sequence. A delay may be provided to allow the user time to abort the initiation of the automatic power-down sequence. The data may be transmitted in any suitable manner, e.g., over a telephone line through the PSTN, using the Internet, using a paging system, etc. The weather service communication server is provided with the particular local area relating to the computer system. For instance, in the case of a dial-up telephone call to the weather service communication server, call related information such as the telephone exchange number and/or the area code in Caller ID information can be used by the weather service communication server to determine the local area relating to the particular computer system. Thus, a user is provided additional security against damage which may be caused to all or a portion of a computer system due to lightning strikes, downed telephone poles, etc. as a result of severe weather in a local area.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Cannon
- 👤 James A. Johanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A system, comprising: a processor; a storm alert determination module adapted to initiate a power-down sequence in said processor upon determination of at least one of a presence, imminence, and forecast of severe weather condition in a local area; and a connection between said storm alert determination module and a weather service communication server that allows said storm alert determination module to receive weather information relating to said local area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A system, comprising: a processor; a storm alert determination module adapted to initiate a power-down sequence in said processor upon determination of at least one of a presence, imminence, and forecast of severe weather condition in a local area; and a connection between said storm alert determination module and a weather service communication server that allows said storm alert determination module to receive weather information relating to said local area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said connection between said storm alert determination module and said weather service communication server is a modem adapted to automatically communicate with a weather service communication server to receive weather information relating to said local area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 2, wherein: said modem is adapted to communicate with said weather service communication server via an Internet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said connection between said storm alert determination module and said weather service communication server is an Internet connection that allows said module to receive weather information relating to said local area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a timer adapted to provide a delay in initiating said power-down sequence to allow a user time to abort said initiation of said power-down sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein: said timer is programmable by said user to preset said delay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said power-down sequence is a controlled power-down sequence allowing said processor to save appropriate data before powering down said system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said system is a computer system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said system is a television.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said system is an entertainment audio device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a non-volatile timer adapted to initiate a power-up sequence a predetermined amount of time after said initiation of said power-down sequence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system according to claim 2, wherein: said communication includes e-mail.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for automatically powering-down a system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service, comprising: receiving a weather forecast; determining whether said weather forecast relates to severe weather in an area local to said system; and automatically initiating a power-down sequence in said system if said weather forecast indicates said severe weather is at least one of present, imminent, and forecast for said local area.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for automatically powering-down a system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service, comprising: receiving a weather forecast; determining whether said weather forecast relates to severe weather in an area local to said system; and automatically initiating a power-down sequence in said system if said weather forecast indicates said severe weather is at least one of present, imminent, and forecast for said local area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for automatically powering-down a system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, wherein: said power-down sequence relates to a power-down of only a portion of said system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, further comprising: activating said system to receive said weather forecast.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, wherein: said weather forecast is adapted to be received via a public switched telephone network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, wherein: said weather forecast is adapted to be received via a connection over an Internet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, further comprising: providing a delay before said automatic initiation of said power-down sequence to allow a user time to abort said power-down if desired.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, wherein: said weather forecast is received via e-mail.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 13, further comprising: automatically initiating a power-up sequence in said system a predetermined amount of time after said initiation of said power-down sequence.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for automatically powering-down a system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service, comprising: means for receiving a weather forecast; means for determining whether said weather forecast relates to severe weather in an area local to said system; and means for automatically initiating a power-down sequence in said system if said weather forecast indicates said severe weather is at least one of present, imminent, and forecast for said local area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for automatically powering-down a system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service, comprising: means for receiving a weather forecast; means for determining whether said weather forecast relates to severe weather in an area local to said system; and means for automatically initiating a power-down sequence in said system if said weather forecast indicates said severe weather is at least one of present, imminent, and forecast for said local area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus for automatically powering-down a system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 21, wherein: said power-down sequence relates to a power-down of only a portion of said system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 21, further comprising: means for activating said system to receive said weather forecast.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 21, wherein: said weather forecast is received via a public switched telephone network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 21, wherein: said weather forecast is received via a connection over an Internet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus for automatically powering-down a computer system upon receipt of a storm alert from a weather service according to claim 21, further comprising: means for providing a delay before said automatic initiation of said power-down sequence to allow a user time to abort said power-down if desired.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5959815A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-15 | 2004-02-14 | 2004-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-15 | 2008-02-14 | 2008-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-15 | 2012-02-14 | 2012-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |