Retrofit external power saving system and method for use

Abstract

An intelligent power strip circuit for providing automatic computer system power down features and for providing automatic restoration of power for the computer system. The intelligent power strip circuit may be used by conventional computer systems that do not have internal power management features to retrofit them to provide power conservation modes. The circuit is responsive to an incoming phone call and will provide automatic power on and system initialization to enable the computer system to respond to a call. The circuit is responsive to the keyboard, mouse, and other user interface devices (for automatic power up and conditional timed power off) because these devices are routed through the external circuit to the computer system. Peripherals and the CPU chassis of the computer system receive their AC power via the circuit and therefore may be automatically powered down under control of the CPU when appropriate. Programming logic operable on the computer system controls aspects of the power strip circuit. The circuit provides automatic power up features. The intelligent power strip is advantageously suited to provide power management features to conventional computer systems that were implemented before such features were widely available and internally installed. The circuit therefore provides power savings to a large number of computer systems.