Patent Publication Number: US-2007116258-A1

Title: Switch module for computer service line

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to devices for controlling access to service lines such as cable, DSL and various Internet service lines. More particularly, this invention relates to a switch device for manually terminating service to a computer.  
      The full usage and enjoyment of personal computers has been directly related to the connection to the Internet by various service providers which provide for fast access to the Internet as well as for email service. The benefits of the various services, however, are tempered by annoyances such as spam, numerous bombardments of advertisements and undesirable messages as well as infection with computer viruses. Many personal computer users now desire to operate or place the computer in a stand-alone, isolated environment for extended periods of time to act as a buffer or shield against some of the undesirable attributes of continuous 24 hour service line connections. In many respects, the manufacturers of personal computers have not provided an easily operable device to manually control connection of the DSL cable or service provider line to the personal computer.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a switch module for controlling communication between a service line and a computer. The module comprises a housing having a front and a back and multiple sides extending between the front and the back. A pair of service line terminals is disposed at one side. A bistable switch having an actuator is disposed at a second side. A communication circuit disposed in the housing extends from certain pins of the terminals to the switch. When the actuator of the switch is in a first position, the service line signal communicates between the terminals. When the actuator is in a second position, the signal communication between the terminals is interrupted, and accordingly service to the computer is terminated.  
      The terminals may be socket connectors. A double sided adhesive member may be employed to attach the module to the side of the computer. The module housing is preferably in the shape of an octagon wherein the switch and the terminals are located at diametrically opposite sides of the housing. The communication circuit is preferably defined on a circuit board and the switch and the terminals are mounted to the circuit board.  
      An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved switch module which can be easily incorporated for use with a personal computer to manually control the connection of the service line to the computer.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved switch module which may be efficiently installed for use with a personal computer.  
      A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved switch module having an efficient and low cost construction and which is visually prominent and is easily operable to terminate the service line connection to a personal computer as desired and wherein the service line may be reconnected without re-booting the computer.  
      Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a switch module in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the switch module of  FIG. 1  taken from an opposite side thereof;  
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the switch module of  FIG. 1 , portions being shown in broken lines;  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating the switch module in relation to the associated computer and a representative service line;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a housing section for the switch module of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a top housing section for the switch module of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a control board employed in the switch module of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a control board assembly for the switch module of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, a switch module in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the numeral  10 . With additional reference to the  FIG. 4 , the switch module  10  is adapted for mounting to the side of a computer  12  for terminating the connection with the computer service line  14  which may be a cable, DSL or other service line. An auxiliary cable  16  connects to provide communication between the module  10  and the service port  18  of the computer. The switch module  10  includes a bistable switch  20  with an actuator  22  which is manually operable so that in a first position, the service line  14  connects via cable  16  with the service line port  18  of the personal computer, and in a second position, communication between the service line and the computer port is terminated. The service line may be reconnected in approximately 5 seconds without requiring that the computer be re-booted.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the switch module includes a rigid housing  30  having a regular octagonal form with sides  31 - 38  of equal dimensions. The housing  30  is formed by mating top (front) and bottom (back) sections  40  and  50  which are preferably molded plastic components joined to provide the finished housing. Each of the sections include mating rectangular openings  42 ,  52 ,  44  and  54 , which receive, respectively, the switch  20  at one side  31  and provide access to a pair of cable socket terminals  60  and  62  at the opposing side  35 . The sections are further secured by means of projecting cylindrical bosses  56  and receptacles  46  which form an interference fit for securing the sections together. The sections may also have a complementary peripheral lip  45  and recess  55  to facilitate the joining. The section may also have ribs  47  to reinforce the sides.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a circuit board  70  has pairs of printed lines  72  and  74  which lead from terminal positive pin sockets  73  and  75  at one end of the board to the other end. The switch  20 , which in one embodiment is a double pole, single throw rocker switch Model No. RPD2KKGL00716 of Light County, Inc. of Taiwan, is mounted to an upper end of the board and electrically communicates with the lines. The circuit board may have openings  77  to accommodate alternative switch configurations. The terminal sockets  60  and  62  are mounted at the other end of the board and electrically communicate with the lines  72  and  74 . The connection between two positive pins of each terminal is selectively connected or interrupted by the circuit/switch circuitry. The other useful negative terminal pins are correspondingly directly connected by lines  71  and  79  the printed circuit. The circuit board includes a pair of opposed apertures  76  which are centrally located and offset to provide a mounting point for the circuit board. The bottom section includes cylindrical platforms  48  Which project from the surface to provide a support for the circuit board. A pair of locating nipples  49  protruding from the middle platforms are closely received in the apertures  76  of the circuit board to secure the circuit board in the proper position.  
      When the switch module  10  is fully assembled, a rectangular double-sided adhesive pad  80  may be applied to the exterior of the back or bottom surface  41  ( FIG. 3 ). For installation purposes, the outer cover of the adhesive pad is removed to expose the adhesive surface and the switch module is fixed to a side or panel of the computer.  
      Other connecting materials may also be employed. A short auxiliary cable  16  is received in the terminal socket  62  and connects with the service port  18  of the computer. The service end of the service line  14  is then received in the other socket terminal  60 . It should be appreciated that the switch actuator may be manually activated to either provide service communication with the computer  12  or in a second position to terminate the service communication.  
      In one preferred embodiment, the housing  30  is in the shape of a stop sign and has a red tint to strikingly visually suggest the function of stopping the service communication with the computer. It should, however, also be appreciated that other forms of the housing may be provided.  
      While the foregoing description has been set forth for purposes of illustration of the invention, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.