Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control – Power conservation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-05-22
Thai, Xuan (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
Power conservation
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237102
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application for Method for Controlling Rest Mode in Computer and Apparatus Therefor earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Dec. 26, 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. 74466/1997.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a computer having a monitor, a keyboard, etc., and more particularly, to a method for controlling a rest mode for stopping the operation of a computer at preset intervals and an apparatus therefor in a computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
The prior art describes computers that can be put into a sleep mode, a doze mode, a stand-by mode and a rest mode for the purposes of saving on power consumption. For example, Narad et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,197 discloses a Method and Apparatus For Reducing Power Consumption in a Computer Network Without Sacrificing Performance. Narad et al is capable of independently initiating a transition into a power-conserving mode, i.e., a “sleep” state, while keeping its network interface “alive” and fully operational. Furthermore, Narad et al provides an internal timer for waking the computer system up at midnight to perform housekeeping chores such as daily tape backups. What is needed is a computer system that will go into a rest mode periodically to allow the user to rest his eyes and prevent the harmful effects of staring into a computer screen endlessly. What is needed is a user programmable rest mode where the user can select the length of each rest mode, the interval between which rest modes occur, and the option of making each rest mode mandatory or optional.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer for stopping the operation of the computer temporarily when the computer is continuously used over a preset time.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer for being able to set the rest mode interactively or compulsorily.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling a rest mode in a computer for stopping the use of the computer temporarily when the computer is continuously used over a preset time.
Accordingly, to achieve the first objective, there is provided a method of controlling a rest mode for stopping a current operation of a computer while using the computer, including the steps of: setting a rest mode by setting a rest interval for deciding a preset time interval, and a rest time for which the computer operation is stopped in every rest interval; checking whether it becomes a target time determined by the above-set rest interval; beginning the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the above-set rest time when it is the target time; and restoring the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode when the rest time elapses after the rest mode begins.
To achieve the second objective, there is provided a method of controlling a rest mode for stopping a current operation of a computer while using the computer, including the steps of: setting a rest mode by setting a rest interval for deciding a preset time interval, and a rest time for which the computer operation is stopped in every rest interval; setting a dialog box mode which asks whether the user takes a rest or not whenever it is the target time determined by the rest interval, or a compulsory mode which always let the user rest when it is the time determined by the rest interval; checking whether it becomes the target time determined by the above-set rest interval; asking, if the dialog box mode was set as the rest mode, the user whether the rest mode may begin, and, if the user selects the rest mode, beginning the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the rest time, or otherwise, restoring the previous operation mode; beginning, if the compulsory mode was set as the rest mode, the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the above-set rest time; and restoring the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode when the rest time elapses after the rest mode begins.
To achieve the third objective, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a rest mode for stopping a current operation of the computer during user's computer operation, including: a screen display means for displaying information guiding for a rest mode setup; a mode setup means for being input whether the rest mode is set or not, a rest interval defining a preset time interval, and a rest time defining a rest mode period in every rest interval according to the guide information displayed on the screen display means; a timer means for calculating the time interval and rest time during the computer operation if the rest mode was set; and controlling means for stopping the current operation of the computer during the rest time in every rest interval calculated by the timer if the rest mode was set, and restoring the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode when the rest time elapses after the rest mode begins.
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Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Thai Xuan
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