The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 01, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 02, 1996
Sean Babcock, Portland, OR (US);
Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A function of a computer other than a power supply function of the computer may also be controlled using a power control input of the computer. In response to a pressing of a power button or a closing of a power switch, a signal is provided which indicates that a function of the computer other than a power supply function of the computer may be performed. This may be implemented, for example, in response to the pressing of the power button or closing of the power switch for a time period longer than a predetermined time period. In response to a first condition at the power control input (for example, a momentary closing of the power switch or pressing of the power button), power is supplied to the computer. In response to a second condition at the power control input (for example, the closing of the power switch or pressing of the power button for a time period longer than a predetermined time period), a signal is provided indicating that a non-power supply function of the computer should be performed. For example, a basic input/output system (BIOS) program running on the computer performs an entering of a setup mode of the computer, a clearing, setting or a changing of the password, or a clearing of the system image of the computer in response to the pressing of the power button or closing of the power switch for a time period which is longer than a predetermined time period. Such an implementation does not require a user to open a system chassis of the computer and disconnect any configuration jumpers on the motherboard of the computer.