公开(公告)号：US5506790A

公开(公告)日：1996-04-09

申请号：US265200

申请日：1994-06-24

Applicant: Sanh K. Nguyen

Inventor： Sanh K. Nguyen

IPC: G05B19/042 ,  G06F1/32 ,  G06F9/06

CPC classification number: G06F1/3215 ,  G05B19/0423 ,  G06F1/325 ,  G06F1/3265 ,  G06F1/3284 ,  G05B2219/21014 ,  G05B2219/21022 ,  G05B2219/21096 ,  G05B2219/25248 ,  G05B2219/25286 ,  G06F2200/261 ,  Y02B60/1242 ,  Y02B60/1267 ,  Y02B60/1296 ,  Y10T307/461 ,  Y10T307/76

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for intelligently controlling an electrical power distributor for a personal computer, its peripherals, and other devices. The apparatus includes a parallel interface; single-chip microcomputer; plurality of relays; power source connector; and plurality of electrical outlets. The parallel interface can be removably connected through a parallel cable to a parallel port of a personal computer. The single-chip microcomputer has a clock to keep time independent of the personal computer. In response to programming instructions from the personal computer, the single-chip microcomputer controls the relays to selectively connect and disconnect the power lead connector to the electrical outlets of the distributor. Communicating with the distributor is made user friendly by including a software prorgram for the personal computer that translates simple commands from the user into commands sent through the parallel port of the personal computer to the distributor. The distributor can share the parallel port of the personal computer with another peripheral device, such as a printer, by use of a split-Y parallel cable or similar split cable or connector. The distributor reacts only to particular data transmitted on the split-Y parallel cable and ignores other data. A preferred embodiment of the distributor also includes a phone ring interface for detecting and responding to telephone ring signals. The single-chip microcomputer can be programmed by the personal computer to respond to one or more preselected sequences of one or more phone ring signals.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于智能控制个人计算机，其外围设备和其他设备的电力分配器的装置和方法。 该装置包括并行接口; 单片机; 多个继电器; 电源连接器; 和多个电插座。 并行接口可以通过并行电缆可拆卸地连接到个人计算机的并行端口。 单片机具有保持时间独立于个人计算机的时钟。 响应于来自个人计算机的编程指令，单片机控制继电器以选择性地将电源引线连接器连接到分配器的电源插座。 通过将用于将简单命令从用户转换为通过个人计算机的并行端口发送的命令的个人计算机的软件配置文件包括到分发者进行通信，使得用户友好。 分配器可以通过使用分割式Y并行电缆或类似的分离电缆或连接器与另一外围设备（如打印机）共享个人计算机的并行端口。 分配器仅对在分割Y并行电缆上传输的特定数据进行反应，并忽略其他数据。 分配器的优选实施例还包括用于检测和响应电话振铃信号的电话环接口。 单个微型计算机可以由个人计算机编程以响应一个或多个电话铃声信号的一个或多个预选序列。