Abstract:
A device for remotely controlling the functional status of a computer, including an input that is adapted to receive telephone calls or SMS messages, an output that is coupled to the motherboard of the computer and adapted to communicate with the motherboard of the computer, an electronic circuit that is adapted to control the output responsive to instructions provided to the input; and wherein the device is adapted to turn on the computer responsive to instructions provided to the input by a remote transmission.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to controlling the functional status of a computer remotely. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    With the advance of communications and computers it has become common for a person to access remote computers, for example over the Internet or over telephone lines. Typically remote access enables the person to retrieve information from the remote computer and/or perform programs available therein. Accessing remote computers allows people to work from home and/or to transfer data from one computer to another, for example for a person working on computers at two locations. 
         [0003]    A basic condition for using a computer remotely is that the computer be turned on and in normal working condition. If however the computer is not turned on or the computer is not responding to commands, generally intervention is required wherein a person is required to physically turn on the computer or restart the computer by pressing the activation button or reset button on the front panel of the computer. Some common cases where such intervention is required include, restarting the computer after a power failure, resetting the computer after a program crash that halted the operating system, turning on the computer when the person forgot to leave it on or left it off intentionally to preserve energy. 
         [0004]    In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 4,701,946 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference there is described a device for controlling the application of power to a computer so that the computer may be powered on responsive to an incoming call for the duration of the call. The computer is then able to communicate via a modem with the caller. 
         [0005]    Generally in older computers if the power switch was left in the on position it was sufficient to provide power to the power supply of the computer in order to turn it on. However in modern personal computers (e.g. with ATX power supplies) the computer is not activated merely by supplying power to the power supply of the computer. Instead the power supply is adapted to receive instructions from the motherboard of the computer, for example when the user presses the activation switch; a connection is shorted on the motherboard of the computer, and the motherboard then signals the power supply to turn on. The method of turning the computer on and off by control of the motherboard has the advantage that the motherboard can notify the software running in the computer to prepare itself for being shut down and prevent damage to files. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An aspect of an embodiment of the invention, relates to a device that controls the functional status of a computer by providing signals to the motherboard of the computer, responsive to remote communications with the device, for example by accepting telephone calls via telephone lines or by accepting telephone calls or SMS messages over a wireless communication network. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device answers telephone calls and accepts commands, for example provided by the caller using DTMF. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the commands instruct the device to perform various tasks related to controlling the status of the computer, for example turning on the computer, turning on the computer for a limited amount of time, turning off the computer immediately or after a delay or performing a hard reset of the computer immediately or at a later time. Optionally, the device accepts other commands from the caller to program the device, for example setting the time of an internal clock or providing a list of passwords. 
         [0007]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device provides notification to the caller after performing the action during the call session. Alternatively or additionally, the device calls the caller back using the option of calling the last caller, which is provided by many telephone service providers or by calling an identified number if the service provider provides this service. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the invention, the device is installed as a card in the computer encasement. Optionally, with a port that is accessible from the back of the computer. Alternatively, the device may be installed external to the computer with wires entering the computer encasement. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments of the invention, the device is powered by electricity provided by the telephone lines or from the power provided by the ring signal. Alternatively or additionally, the device is provided with a battery or draws power from the power supply of the computer, for example via the data bus of the motherboard or directly. 
         [0010]    There is thus provided according to an exemplar embodiment of the invention, a device for remotely controlling the functional status of a computer, comprising, an input that is adapted to receive telephone calls or SMS messages, an output that is coupled to the motherboard of the computer and adapted to communicate with the motherboard of the computer, an electronic circuit that is adapted to control the output responsive to instructions provided to the input, and wherein the device is adapted to turn on the computer responsive to instructions provided to the input by a remote transmission. In some embodiments of the invention, the input is adapted to receive telephone calls through a telephone line. Alternatively or additionally, the input is adapted to receive telephone calls wirelessly. Optionally, the output is coupled to the motherboard of the computer with a wire. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the output communicates with the motherboard by shorting the leads of a jumper on the motherboard for a pre-selected amount of time. Optionally, the circuit emulates an IVR to accept information from a remote caller. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the circuit manages a list of caller passwords and telephone numbers for contacting them. Optionally, the device is adapted to provide confirmation to a caller upon performing an action requested by the caller. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the confirmation is provided by sending an SMS or a FAX to the caller. Alternatively or additionally, the confirmation is provided by calling the caller and providing a voice message. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device is additionally adapted to turn off the computer responsive to instructions provided to the input. Optionally, the device is additionally adapted to reset the computer responsive to instructions provided to the input. In an exemplar embodiment of the invention, the device is adapted to perform the requested instruction with a time delay. Optionally, the size of the time delay is provided by the transmission. 
         [0000]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device is adapted to perform the requested instruction at a specific time. Optionally, the specific time is provided by the transmission. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device further includes a battery to power the device. Alternatively or additionally, the device draws power from the power supply of the computer. Further alternatively or additionally, the device draws power from the telephone line. Optionally, the device is adapted to warn people in the vicinity of the computer that it is going to perform an action that will affect the status of the computer. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device is positioned inside the encasement of the computer. Alternatively, the device is positioned outside the encasement of the computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present invention will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of implementation of a device for controlling functionality of a computer, according to all exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a method of using a device for controlling functionality of a computer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of installation of a device for controlling functionality of a computer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a circuit for a device for controlling functionality of a computer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration  110  of implementation of a device  110  for controlling functionality of a computer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  110  is installed with a direct connection  115  to the motherboard of a computer  120 .  FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a method  200  of using device  110  for controlling functionality of computer  120 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Optionally, a remote caller  140  that wants to turn on computer  120  places a call ( 210 ) using a communication device  130  (e.g. a telephone or mobile telephone) to device  110  in order to control the functionality of computer  120 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  110  answers the call using an internal IVR (interactive voice response system) and provides caller  140  with various options, for example a message requesting that caller  140  enter ( 220 ) a password, which can be provided for example by keying in a pre-selected number using the telephone buttons. Optionally, after authenticating caller  140 , device  110  requests that caller  140  select ( 230 ) an action code to designate the action that caller  140  wants device  110  to perform. Optionally, device  110  can be instructed to turn on computer  120 , turn off computer  120 , and reset computer  120 . In some embodiments of the invention, the device can also put computer  120  into sleep mode or wake computer  120  out of sleep mode or perform other functions if they are enabled to be performed by switches on the front panel of computer  120  or jumpers on the motherboard of the computer. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the above functions can be performed immediately, after a time delay, or at a selected time. Optionally, the time for the delay or for performing the function (e.g. alter 10 minutes from the call) may be pre-selected or keyed in by caller  140 . 
         [0018]    In some embodiments of the invention, caller  140  receives ( 240 ) from device  110  a voice message or other pre-defined signals (e.g. a specific beep or tone) indicating that the function was acknowledged or performed (e.g. if it is an immediate function). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  110  provides confirmation to caller  140  by calling back the last caller if such a service is provided by the telephone service company. Alternatively, device  110  may use a caller recognition system to identify the number of caller  140  to call the caller back and provide confirmation. In some embodiments of the invention, device  110  may be pre-programmed with a list of callers and telephone numbers associated with their passwords so that device  110  can call the user back to confirm performance of the requested function. Optionally, the list may be transmitted to device  110  from a computer by calling the device and transmitting the list with a modem. In some embodiments of the invention, device  110  may notify the caller by other methods, for example by sending an SMS message or FAX message to caller  140  to confirm performance of the function. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  110  may toggle the functional status of computer  120  responsive to the ring signal of an incoming call. Optionally, such an option is useful if device  110  is connected to a dedicated line. In some embodiments of the invention, device  110  can be activated by an SMS message, which may contain a caller&#39;s password and an action code and/or other parameters. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments of the invention, device  110  allows the caller to request that device  110  forward the call to another device which is connected to the telephone line, for example a fax machine or an answering machine. Optionally, if device  110  determines that the call is not intended for it, it forwards the call automatically. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of installation of device  110  for controlling functionality of computer  120 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  110  is implemented as a computer card  310  with an electronic circuit  305 , which is installed inside a computer encasement  320  of computer  120 . Optionally, card  310  includes a bus connector  330 , which is placed into a bus socket  335  on a motherboard  315  with a back-panel  325  facing out of encasement  320  to allow external access to card  310  without opening encasement  320  after card  310  is installed. In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  is connected physically by having the shape of a bus connector but without electronic connections to bus socket  335 . Alternatively, card  310  may be implemented as an extension to back-panel  325  without any connection to bus sockets  335 . 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, card  310  includes a line in socket  312  for connecting to a telephone line to accept calls. Optionally, card  310  also includes a line out socket  314  to allow other devices to connect to the telephone line so that they can use the line when it is not in use by card  31 . 0  or allow card  310  to forward calls to them. In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  includes a mobile telephone reception and transmission system (e.g. using a SIM (subscriber identity module) card), which enables card  310  to function as a mobile telephone with or without being additionally connected to a wire based telephone system. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  includes a battery  322  to provide power to card  310  continuously, so that it may support various options such as an internal clock in addition to performing the functions as described above. In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  draws power from a power supply  340 , which provides the power to the internal devices of computer  120 . Optionally, card  310  may draw the power from power supply  340  via bus socket  335  or directly (e.g. with a direct cable like a disk drive) to perform its required functions. In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  does not require additional external power and functions solely from the power provided by the telephone line or from the power provided by the ring signal. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  includes a speaker  332  to provide audio signals giving indication or warning to people using computer  120  or in the vicinity of the computer that card  310  is about to perform a function, for example to warn people that computer  120  is about to be reset. Optionally, card  310  may provide a method for a person located in the vicinity of the computer to override an action requested remotely by remote caller  140 , for example if a person working on computer  120  presses the power on button or reset button when card  310  gives a warning signal, card  310  will cancel the action. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  may be provided as a kit with a computer program to program card  310  via bus connector  330  or by dialing card  310  from a remote computer with a modem, and provide control options as described above, for example a caller list with telephone numbers and passwords. Alternatively or additionally, card  310  may be programmed by calling the card and keying in commands (e.g. action codes and time values) during the telephone session. In some embodiments of the invention, card  310  includes switches  324  or jumpers to set various parameters of card  310 , for example the number of rings before card  310  responds to a telephone call, the time delay before performing an action or the code symbol for a specific action. Optionally, switches  324  may be positioned in various places, for example on back-panel  325  so they can be accessed without opening encasement  320 , or they may be positioned on circuit  305  or in other positions on card  310  so that they can be set before installing card  310 . 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, computer encasement  320  is provided with a front panel  350  with a power switch  352  to turn on the computer and a reset switch  354  to perform a hard reset to computer  120 . Power switch  352  is generally connected to a power on jumper  334  on motherboard  315  and reset switch  354  is also connected to a reset jumper  336  on motherboard  315 . When power on switch  352  is pressed it shorts the leads of jumper  334  and causes motherboard  315  to notify power supply  340  to provide the power required for computer  120  to go on. Likewise when reset switch  354  is pressed it shorts the leads of reset jumper  336  and causes motherboard  315  to initiate a hard reset and restart computer  120 . Additionally, when power on switch  352  is held for more than a few seconds it instructs the motherboard to turn off computer  120 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, card  31 . 0  includes a power in jumper  326 , a power out jumper  327 , a reset in jumper  328  and a reset out jumper  329 . Optionally, the wires that connect power switch  352  and reset switch  354  from front panel  350  to power on jumper  334  and reset jumper  336  on motherboard  315  are disconnected and connected to power in jumper  326  and reset in jumper  328  on card  310  respectively. Optionally, bypass wires  345  are provided to connect power out jumper  327  and reset out  329  to power on jumper  334  and reset jumper  336 , thus enabling card  310  to control (e.g. intercept and/or initiate) powering on and resetting of computer  120 . Optionally, card  310  is connected in parallel to power on switch  352  and reset switch  354  so that the computer can be controlled normally in addition to the control by card  310 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments of the invention, the above connection of the reset jumpers and power on jumpers may be performed by soldering wires to card  310  or to motherboard  315  if jumpers are not readily available. Optionally, card  310  may be provided internally as described above or externally, for example with its own dedicated encasement as shown in  FIG. 1  as device  110 . 
         [0028]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, device  110  may be used for controlling the functional status of a laptop or any other type of computer that is powered on and off by control of the motherboard, by connecting wires directly to the motherboard of the computer or laptop computer. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a circuit  400  for device  110  for controlling functionality of a computer, according to an exemplar embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, circuit  400  is adapted to accept a call from a telephone line and accumulate power for powering the circuit resulting from the ring of the call and call signals. Optionally, circuit  400  accepts tone signals with codes indicating what action should be taken, then circuit  400  outputs a signal to motherboard  315  to perform the selected action. 
         [0030]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, circuit  400  comprises the following main parts: 
         [0031]    1. A line in, circuit segment  410 —circuit segment  410  is connected to a telephone line with line in socket  312 . Optionally, circuit segment  410  accepts the call and provides the signal to circuit segment  420 . 
         [0032]    2. A power accumulation, circuit segment  420 —circuit segment  420  accumulates power from the call for powering the circuit without use of an additional power source. 
         [0033]    3. A ring number select, circuit segment  430 —circuit segment  430  comprises a set of switches for selecting the number of rings before device  110  answers the call. 
         [0034]    4. A tone select, circuit segment  440 —circuit segment  440  analyzes the tones from the call signal to determine what action should be taken. 
         [0035]    5. A restart number selector, circuit segment  450 —circuit segment  450  selects the code that caller  140  needs to provide to cause device  110  to turn on computer  120  or turn off computer  120 . Optionally, circuit segment  450  may provide two separate values; one for turning on computer  120  and one for turning off computer  120 . 
         [0036]    6. A reset number selector, circuit segment  460 —circuit segment  460  selects the code that caller  140  needs to provide to cause device  110  to reset computer  120 . 
         [0037]    7. A restart control, circuit segment  470 —circuit segment  470  controls the output of circuit  400 , which signals motherboard  315  to power on or power off computer  120 . In some embodiments of the invention, circuit segment  470  is also used to put the computer into sleep mode and take it out of sleep mode, for example dependent on the amount of time used to short power on jumper  334 , the previous state of computer  120  and the settings in the BIOS of the computer. 
         [0038]    8. A reset control, circuit segment  480 —circuit segment  480  controls the output of circuit  400 , which signals motherboard  315  to perform a hard reset for the computer. 
         [0039]    It should be noted that the exact details of the circuit implementation described above are only exemplary and other variations may be implemented to provide other options, provide the same options in a different manner, or to remove some of the options. 
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the invention. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the invention. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims, which follow.