Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a power control device for a computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power control device for a computer, which can turn on/off the power of peripheral devices of the computer by detecting signals generated from communication ports installed at a rear portion of a computer body when the main power of the computer body is turned on/off.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, peripheral devices are electrically connected to a rear portion of a computer body as it is required by a user. The peripheral devices are connected to a plurality of ports provided at the rear portion of the computer body so as to perform various functions, such as sound reproduction, printing, and scanning functions, according to signals supplied thereto from the computer body. The above peripheral devices include speakers, printers, scanners or cameras.

[4] In order to control the power of the peripheral devices connected to a plurality of ports installed at the rear portion of the computer body, the user must manually turn on/off the power of the peripheral devices.

[5] That is, the user controls the power of the peripheral devices by directly turning on/ off the power of the speaker, the scanner, and the printer one by one, or the user simultaneously controls the power of the peripheral devices by controlling the power of a multi-electric outlet to which the peripheral devices are electrically connected.

[6] However, even in the case where the power of the peripheral devices is simultaneously controlled by means of the multi-electric outlet, the power is continuously applied to the peripheral devices of the computer, if the user does not directly control the power of the multi-electric outlet, so that power consumption is caused, unnecessarily.

[7] In addition, in the case where a switch capable of controlling the power of the multi-electric outlet is not prepared, the user must control the power of the peripheral devices one by one, causing inconvenience to the user.

[8] In order to solve the above problem, Korean Patent Unexamined Publication No.

10-2002-0029026 (filed on April 17, 2002) discloses

A power supply control device for cutting off stand-by electric power and for saving electric power, a control method thereof and a power saving system." According to the

above conventional patent publication, a separate connector section is connected to a computer body and a separate main power control device is connected to the computer body so as to control a monitor, a speaker, a printer, or a scanner. In this state, a current applied to the computer body is detected in order to shut off the power being supplied to peripheral devices during a standby time or a pause time.

[9] However, the above power supply control device must be provided with the connector section and the main power control device, so that a separate control program is necessary in order to control the connector section and the main power control device. In addition, a separate power supply is also necessary so as to drive the connector section and the main power control device, so that the structure of the power supply control device becomes complicated.

[10] Meanwhile, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0360027, which has been filed by applicant of the present invention, discloses "A power control device for computer."

[11] The present invention is an improvement of the Korean Utility Model Registration

No. 20-0360027 and details thereof will be described below.

[12]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[13] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a power control device for a computer, which is installed at a rear portion of a computer body in order to turn on/off the power of peripheral devices of the computer upon receiving a signal generated from a communication port installed at the rear portion of the computer body when the main power of the computer body is turned on/off.

[14] Another object of the present invention is to provide a power control device for a computer, which is installed in the computer in order to control the power of peripheral devices of the computer regardless of the type of computers.

[15] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a power control device for a computer, which is connected to a keyboard port so as to detect the DC voltage of the computer body and controls the power of peripheral devices of the computer based on the DC voltage of the computer body.

[16]

Technical Solution

[17] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a power control device for a computer, which turns on/off a power of peripheral devices of the computer according to an on/off operation of the computer,

the power control device comprising: a body section; an external power receiving section installed in the body section so as to receive an AC power from an exterior; a first power supply section installed in the body section in order to feed the power tothe peripheral devices; a second power supply section having a first end connected to the body section and a second end connected to a computer body so as to feed the power to the computer; a port connection section including a connection wire connected to the body section, a connection port connected to a keyboard port installed in the computer body, and a keyboard port provided on a rear portion of the port connection section so as to make connection with a keyboard; and a switch circuit control section accommodated in the body section so as to allow the power to be fed into the peripher- alde vices or shut off the power being supplied to the peripheral devices according to a DC voltage signal applied to the keyboard from the computer body, in which the switch circuit control section includes a relay, a power switching part for feeding the power to the first power supply section or shutting of the power being supplied to the first power supply section, and a voltage signal receiving section for receiving a keyboard voltage signal from the port connection section.

[18] The external power receiving section is connected to thesecond power supply sect ion so as to feed the power to the computer body. The external power receiving section is also connected to both the first power supply section and the power switching part so as to control the power supplied to the first power supply section under a control of the switch circuit control section. The port connection section is connected to the voltage signal receiving section so as to transfer a voltage signal applied to the keyboard port to the switch circuit control section.

[19]

Advantageous Effects

[20] As can be seen from the foregoing, the power control device of the present invention controls the power of the peripheral devices of the computer based on the signal generated from the port installed at the rear portion of the computer body, so that it is possible to automatically turn on/off the power of the peripheral devices, even if the user does not directly control the power of the peripheral devices.

[21] In addition, the power control device of the present invention is suitable for both new-model computers and old-model computers, and can significantly reduce power consumption of peripheral devices of the computer, such as the monitor.

[22] Furthermore, the power control device of the present invention can be fabricated in a small size and can be easily installed relative to the computer.

[23]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external structure of a power control device for a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a port connection part provided in a power control device for a computer shown in FIG. 1 ;

[26] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an internal structure of a power control device for a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a power control device for a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a power control device for a computer according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[29] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the installation state of a power control device relative to peripheral devices of a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[30]

Mode for the Invention

[31] Hereinafter, a power control device for a computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

[32] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external structure of the power control device for the computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a port connection part provided in the power control device for the computer shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the power control device for the computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the power control device for the computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the power control device for the computer according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the installation state of the power control device relative to peripheral devices of the computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[33] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the power control device for the computer according to the present invention mainly includes a body section 10, an external power receiving section 21, a first power supply section 22 for peripheral devices, a second power supply section 30 for a computer body, a port connection section 40, and a switch circuit control section 60.

[34] Although the body section 10 is illustrated that it has a rectangular structure, the present invention is not limited thereto. The body section 10 can be fabricated with various structures, such as a circular structure, a hexahedral structure, or an octagonal

structure as required by the manufactures. In addition, the body section 10 can be fabricated in the form of a character according to the various demands of infants, students, and adults. That is, the body section 10 can be fabricated with various shapes according to the preference of the user.

[35] The external power receiving section 21 is installed at one side of the body section

10 so as to receive the AC power from an external apparatus. In addition, the second power supply section 30 for supplying the power to the computer body, and the port connection section 40 connected to a keyboard port of the computer body are installed at the other side of the body section 10. The body section 10 is provided at an upper portion thereof with the first power supply section 22 so as to supply the power to the peripheral devices.

[36] The external power receiving section 21 is connected to the first and second power supply sections 22 and 30 so as to supply the power to the first and second power supply sections 22 and 30.

[37] At least one first power supply section 22 is installed on the upper portion of the body section 10. If only one first power supply section 22 is provided, the first power supply section 22 can be connected to a multi-electric outlet, in use.

[38] In addition, a display lamp 50 is provided at a predetermined portion of the body section 10 so as to allow the user to recognize the on/off state of the computer 1 based on the on/off state of the display lamp 50 installed in the body section 10. Preferably, the display lamp 50 includes an LED lamp.

[39] The second power supply section 30 is connected to a power terminal 2 installed at the rear portion of the computer 1, so that the power is supplied to the computer 1 through the second power supply section 30 and the body section 10.

[40] The second power supply section 30 includes a connection member 31 electrically coupled with the rear portion of the computer body so as to supply the power to the computer 1 through the body section 10, and a connection wire 32 for connecting the body section 10 to the connection member 31.

[41] Here, the length of the connection wire 32 of the second power supply section 30 can be adjusted according to applications thereof.

[42] The port connection section 40 is connected to the keyboard port formed at the rear portion of the computer body in such a manner that the power of the peripheral devices of the computer 1 can be turned on/off according to the on/off operation of the computer 1. The port connection section 40 includes a connection port 41 and a connection wire 42. The connection port 41 is provided at one side of the port connection section 40 and is coupled with the rear portion of the computer 1, and the connection wire 42 is provided between the body section 10 and the connection port 41 such that the signal can be supplied to the body section 10 from the connection port 41

through the connection wire 42.

[43] At this time, the port connection section 40 detects the DC voltage signal supplied from the keyboard port installed in the computer body, thereby determining the on/off state of the computer 1.

[44] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a separate keyboard port 43 is installed on the connection port 41. The keyboard port 43 is coupled with a connection port 83 of a keyboard 81, so that the user can manipulate the keyboard 81. Conventionally, the connection port 83 of the keyboard 81 is connected to the keyboard port installed at the rear portion of the computer body. However, since the connection port 41 of the port connection section 40 has already been inserted into the keyboard port of the computer body, the keyboard port 43 is additionally provided on the rear portion of the connection port 41 in such a manner that the connection port 83 of the keyboard 81 can be coupled with the keyboard port 83.

[45] Although it is not illustrated in the drawings, the keyboard port 43 can be installed at one side of the body section 10, instead of the rear portion of the connection port 41.

[46] The connection port 41 is one of an USB port, a serial port, and a keyboard port.

[47] Hereinafter, the internal structure of the power control device for the computer according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[48] The power control device includes the switch circuit control section 60, which is equipped with a relay 65 and provided in the body section 10. The switch circuit control section 60 includes a power switching part 61 for allowing the power to be supplied to the first power supply section 22 or shutting off the power being supplied to the first power supply section 22, and a voltage signal receiving part 63 for receiving a keyboard voltage signal from the port connection section 40.

[49] The power switching part 61 is connected to the external power receiving section 21 so as to receive the external power from the external power receiving section 21 and is connected to the first power supply section 22 in order to feed the power to the first power supply section 22. At this time, the power switching part 61 turns on/off the power according to the operation of the relay 65.

[50] The voltage signal receiving part 63 receives the DC voltage signal detected from the keyboard and sends the signal value to the switch circuit control section 60, thereby controlling the on/off operation of the power switching part 61.

[51] In addition, the external power receiving section 21 is connected to the first power supply section 22 so as to feed the power to the peripheral devices through the first power supply section 22 and is connected to the second power supply section 30 so as to feed the power to the computer 1 through the second power supply section 30.

[52] Upon receiving the DC voltage through the port connection section 40 according to

the operation of the keyboard, the switch circuit control section 60 drives the relay, so that the power is supplied to the first power supply section 22. In contrast, when the keyboard is not operated, the DC voltage is not detected and the relay is shut off, so that the power being supplied to the first power supply section 22 is shut off.

[53] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the power control device for the computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[54] Referring to FIG. 4, the AC power received through terminals AClS and AClN of the external power receiving section 21 is transferred to terminals AClS and AClN of the second power supply section 30 connected to the computer body and terminals AC2S and AC2N of the first power supply section 22. At this time, the N terminal (AClN) of the external power receiving section 21 is connected to the N terminal (AC2N) of the first power supply section 22 by way of a relay K2 in such a manner that the connection between the external power receiving section 21 and the first power supply section 22 can be controlled according to the operation of the relay K2.

[55] When the computer 1 is powered on, a voltage of DC 5V is output through the terminal of the port connection section 40. The voltage of DC 5V is transferred to a fuse Fl through a capacitor Cl provided in a switch circuit and then applied to a resistor Rl, thereby operating an LED D2.

[56] Then, the voltage of DC 5 V is applied to a transistor Ql through a resistor R2, so that the transistor Ql is turned on, thereby operating the relay K2. The AC power applied to a COM terminal of the relay K2 is transferred to a terminal NO of the relay K2, so that the AC power, which is in the standby state, is output to the N terminal (AC2N) of the first power supply section 22. Thus, the power is fed into the peripheral device of the computer.

[57] A diode Dl is installed in the vicinity of the transistor Ql, and a varistor RVl is connected to an AC input terminal of the external power receiving section 21.

[58] As shown in FIG. 5, an electric outlet 34 is installed at one side of the body section

10 and a plug 33 is provided at an end portion of the second power supply section 30 in such a manner that the second power supply section 30 can be detachably coupled with the body section 10. That is, the plug 33 of the second power supply section 30 can be detachably inserted into the electric outlet 34 of the body section 10.

[59] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a USB port

47 is used as the connection port 41 of the port connection section 40.

[60] Hereinafter, the operation of the power control device for the computer according to the present invention will be described.

[61] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in the initial stage, the AC power is supplied into the body section 10 from the exterior through an external power line 90. At this time, the AC power is maintained in the standby state.

[62] In this state, if the computer 1 is powered on, the DC voltage applied to the keyboard port is transferred to the voltage signal receiving part 63 through the port connection section 40.

[63] Upon receiving the voltage signal, the switch circuit control section 60 drives the relay so that the power is transferred to the first power supply section 22 through the power switching part 61.

[64] Thus, the power is applied to a monitor 3, a scanner 95 and a printer 97, which are connected to the first power supply section 22 by means of a multi-electric outlet 93.

[65] In contrast, if the computer 1 is powered off, the power being supplied to the keyboard port is shut off, so that the DC voltage signal is not transferred to the voltage signal receiving part 63.

[66] Thus, the relay shuts off the signal transmitted between the power switching part 61 and the first power supply section 22, so that the power cannot be supplied to the m onitor 3, the scanner 95, or the printer 97.

[67] In this manner, if the peripheral devices are connected to the first power supply section 22 by means of the multi-electric outlet 93, the user can readily use the peripheral devices, such as the monitor, the scanner and the printer. In addition, when the computer 1 is powered on/off, the peripheral devices of the computer 1, which are connected to the multi-electric outlet so as to receive the power from the computer through the first power supply section 22, are also automatically turned on/off.

[68] As described above, according to the present invention, the power is supplied to the peripheral devices of the computer through the first power supply section 22 and the power supplied to the peripheral devices of the computer is controlled based on the on/ off state of the computer 1 by detecting the voltage signal of the computer 1 using the port connection section 40, so that it is not necessary for the user to directly control the power of the peripheral devices.

[69]