Patent ID: 6237100
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method in a data processing system for controlling power supplied to said system, said system including an internal power supply for receiving energy from an external source and supplying said energy to said system, said energy being full system power and being required for said system to be fully operable, said method comprising the steps of:said system initially being powered-off, wherein said energy is not initially supplied to said system;establishing a power security unit between a keyboard and a keyboard controller included within said system, said power security unit separating said keyboard from said keyboard controller so that said keyboard is not directly connected to said keyboard controller and all keyboard inputs are first received by said power security unit prior to being received by said keyboard controller;establishing a power-on password within said power security unit;said power security unit receiving a plurality of keyboard inputs;said power security unit determining whether said plurality of keyboard inputs is said power-on password;only in response to said power security unit determining that said plurality of keyboard inputs is said power-on password, said power security unit transmitting a power-on signal to said internal power supply; andin response to said power supply receiving said power-on signal, said power supply beginning a supply of said energy to said system.