Secure power supply for protecting the shutdown of a computer system
April 16, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesElectronic security system for externally powered devices Computer power system Computer system monitor and controller Battery operated computer operation suspension in response to environmental sensor inputs Automatic computer back-up system Fault-tolerant computer system with auto-restart after power-fall System and method for saving the state for advanced microprocessor operating modes Preservation of a computer system processing state in a mass storage device Equipment which included electronics Microprocessor status register having plural control information registers each set and cleared by on and off decoders receiving the same control data word InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 632892 filed on 04/16/1996US Classes:713/310, By external command714/24Safe shutdownExaminersPrimary: Beausoliel, Robert W. Jr.Assistant: Palys, Joseph E. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG06F 011/00AbstractAn apparatus is disclosed for protecting a computer system from an unintended or a malicious removal of power by a user. The apparatus has a power supply for supplying power to the computer system, a non-volatile memory to store a shutdown key for authorizing a shutdown of the power supply, and a power supply shutdown circuit connected to the power supply and the non-volatile memory. The power supply shutdown circuit also includes a switch adapted to receive a power supply shutdown input from the user. Upon receipt of the shutdown input, the apparatus displays a dialog box which requests a password from the user. The apparatus compares the password with the shutdown key in the non-volatile memory and proceeds to shut-down the power supply if the shutdown key matches the password entered by the user. Otherwise, the apparatus maintains power to the computer system until a correct password has been entered. The power supply is shut down by either asserting a shutdown input or by breaking the connection between the power supply and the AC line. Since system shutdowns are allowed only after proper authorization and verification, the present invention minimizes the potential for computers to be powered off accidentally or maliciously.Other References
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