U.S. patent application number 10/674104 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for energy-conserving communication apparatus remotely reachable for establishing instant communications.
Invention is credited to Lee, Howard Hong-Dough.
Application Number | 20050081072 10/674104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29550236 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050081072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Howard Hong-Dough |
April 14, 2005 |
Energy-conserving communication apparatus remotely reachable for
establishing instant communications
Abstract
An energy-conserving computer or information communication
apparatus is rendered to comprise a keep-alive communication
circuit, keep-alive memory circuitry, keep-alive control means, and
keep-alive operating instructions so as to be remotely reachable
for establishing instant communications without consuming main
energy. Most preferred is to utilize a power source carried on a
signal-transmitting phone line or cable as keep-alive power. Also
disclosed is an energy-conserving operating system capable of
selectively entering a keep-alive state in which only limited
instructions are resident on keep-alive RAM circuitry, and a normal
state in which operating instructions are fully loaded to main RAM
circuitry for execution. Further disclosed is an Internet
communication system capable of sending ring signals to the
energy-conserving communication apparatuses or computers, so as to
enable an Internet service provider to offer requested
communications thereto. Consequently, for the first time, the
energy-conserving communication apparatuses or computers can stay
normally offline (like telephones) for establishing instant and
universal communications therebetween via the Internet.
Inventors: |
Lee, Howard Hong-Dough;
(Bloomfield, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Howard Hong-Dough Lee
4350 Derry Road
Bloomfield
MI
48302
US
|
Family ID: |
29550236 |
Appl. No.: |
10/674104 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10674104 |
Sep 30, 2003 |
|
|
|
09409017 |
Sep 29, 1999 |
|
|
|
6658576 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/320 ;
713/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 10/171 20180101;
G06F 1/3203 20130101; G06F 1/3287 20130101; G06F 1/3209 20130101;
Y02D 10/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/320 ;
713/001 |
International
Class: |
G06F 009/00; G06F
009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An energy-conserving computer remotely reachable for
establishing instant communications, comprising: (a) a switchable
power-supply system comprising switching means, for selectively
providing switchable power; (b) a group of switchable circuit means
in power connection with said switchable power-supply system, said
group of switchable circuit means comprising main microprocessor
circuitry and nonvolatile memory storage; (c) a keep-alive
power-supply system for continuously providing keep-alive DC power;
(d) a group of keep-alive circuit means in power connection with
said keep-alive power-supply system, said group of circuit means
comprising a keep-alive communication circuit, keep-alive memory
circuitry, and keep-alive control means; and (e) keep-alive
operating instructions stored in said keep-alive memory circuitry;
whereby said keep-alive operating instructions are provided for
allowing said keep-alive control means to request said keep-alive
communication circuit to detect a communication signal in a
keep-alive state in which said switchable power-supply system is
deactivated for conserving energy.
2. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said
keep-alive communication circuit is adapted to comprise circuitry
means for performing conversion between digital and analog signals
in said keep-alive state.
3. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said
keep-alive control means is adapted to comprise keep-alive
microprocessor circuitry for controlling said keep-alive
communication circuit and said keep-alive memory circuitry to
respectively receive and store incoming information having a size
smaller than a storage size available on said keep-alive memory
circuitry, so as to render said energy-conserving computer
reachable and operable for establishing instant communications in
said keep-alive state.
4. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said
keep-alive operating instructions are provided for allowing said
keep-alive control means to activate said switchable power-supply
system to supply said switchable power selectively (i) if in
response to detection of said communication signal, no
communication link is able to be established within a predetermined
period of time, (ii) if said nonvolatile memory storage needs to be
accessed, or (iii) if a manual power-up signal is detected.
5. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said group of
switchable circuit means further comprises a switchable
communication circuit rendered actuatable in response to said
communication signal for establishing communication with a remote
communication system.
6. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said group of
switchable circuit means further comprises volatile memory
circuitry for storing information randomly accessible to said main
microprocessor circuitry and wherein said keep-alive operating
instructions comprise task information readily available to said
keep-alive control means for restoring previous task activity from
said nonvolatile memory storage to said volatile memory circuitry
when said switchable power-supply system is activated.
7. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, (a) wherein said
group of switchable circuit means further comprises volatile memory
circuitry for storing information randomly accessible to said main
microprocessor circuitry and (b) wherein said switchable
power-supply system is adapted to independently provide (i) a first
power supply to said volatile memory circuitry and said main
microprocessor circuitry and (ii) a second power supply to said
nonvolatile memory storage, so as to allow said energy-conserving
computer to direct information retrieval and storage only on said
volatile memory circuitry for gaining full operating speed.
8. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, (a) wherein said
group of switchable circuit means further comprises volatile memory
circuitry for storing information randomly accessible to said main
microprocessor circuitry, (b) wherein said switchable power-supply
system is adapted to receive AC power from an external AC-power
source and to independently provide (i) a first switchable power
supply to said volatile memory circuitry and said main
microprocessor circuitry and (ii) a second switchable power supply
to said nonvolatile memory storage, and (c) wherein said keep-alive
power-supply system comprises a battery power source arranged to
provide backup DC power to said switchable power-supply system when
said AC power is suddenly absent, so as to allow said
energy-conserving computer to safely direct information retrieval
and storage only on said volatile memory circuitry for gaining full
operating speed.
9. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said group of
switchable circuit means further comprises means actuatable for
dissipating heat.
10. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said group
of switchable circuit means further comprises cooling means for
selectively dissipating heat, and wherein said switching means is
adapted to comprise a relay rendered temperature-sensitive for
supplying a switchable power supply from said switchable
power-supply system to said cooling means only when the temperature
inside said energy-conserving computer exceeds a preset value.
11. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said
switchable power is selected from the group consisting of AC power,
regulated DC power, DC power, and their combinations.
12. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said
keep-alive power-supply system comprises means for providing said
keep-alive DC power from a power source selected from the group
consisting of a signal-transmitting medium carrying keep-alive
power, an external AC-power source, battery, rechargeable battery,
fuel-cell means, and their combinations.
13. The energy-conserving computer of claim 1, wherein said
switchable power-supply system and said keep-alive power-supply
system further comprise separate power sources each selected from
the group consisting of an external AC-power source, battery,
rechargeable battery, fuel-cell means, and their combinations for
respectively providing said switchable power and said keep-alive DC
power.
14. An energy-conserving communication apparatus remotely reachable
for establishing instant communications, comprising: (a) a
switchable power-supply system comprising switching means, for
selectively providing switchable power; (b) a keep-alive
power-supply system connectable with a signal-transmitting medium
that carries a keep-alive power source, for providing keep-alive
power from said keep-alive power source; and (c) a group of
keep-alive circuit means in power connection with said keep-alive
power-supply system, said group of keep-alive circuit means
comprising (i) a keep-alive communication circuit coupled to said
signal-transmitting medium, and (ii) keep-alive control means for
controlling an activity of said switching means, so as to enter a
keep-alive state in which said switchable power-supply system is
deactivated while said keep-alive communication circuit remains
operable for detecting a communication signal initiated from a
remote communication system.
15. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14,
wherein said signal-transmitting medium is selected from the group
consisting of at least one cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber,
hybrid fiber coaxial cable, CATV cable, and their combinations each
being utilized for carrying a respective keep-alive power source
and communication signal.
16. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14,
wherein said keep-alive power-supply system comprises an additional
power source selected from the group consisting of battery,
rechargeable battery, and their combinations for supplying backup
DC power.
17. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14,
wherein said switchable power is selected from the group consisting
of AC power, regulated DC power, DC power, and their
combinations.
18. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14,
wherein said switchable power-supply system further comprises means
for providing said switchable power from a power source selected
from the group consisting of an external AC-power source, battery,
rechargeable battery, fuel-cell means, and their combinations.
19. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14
further comprising a group of switchable circuit means in power
connection with said switchable power-supply system, wherein said
group of switchable circuit means comprises main microprocessor
circuitry and nonvolatile memory storage operable when said
switchable power-supply system is activated for providing said
switchable power.
20. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14
further comprising a group of switchable circuit means in power
connection with said switchable power-supply system, wherein said
group of switchable circuit means comprises means actuatable in
response to said communication signal for printing incoming
information.
21. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14
further comprising a group of switchable circuit means in power
connection with said switchable power-supply system, wherein said
group of switchable circuit means comprises means actuatable for
dissipating heat.
22. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14
further comprising a group of switchable circuit means in power
connection with said switchable power-supply system, wherein said
group of switchable circuit means comprises cooling means for
selectively dissipating heat, and wherein said switching means is
adapted to comprise a relay rendered temperature-sensitive for
supplying a switchable power supply from said switchable
power-supply system to said cooling means only when the temperature
inside said energy-conserving communication apparatus exceeds a
preset value.
23. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14
further comprising a group of switchable circuit means in power
connection with said switchable power-supply system, wherein said
group of switchable circuit means comprises a switchable
communication circuit coupled to said signal-transmitting medium
and rendered actuatable for establishing communication in response
to detection of said communication signal.
24. The energy-conserving communication apparatus of claim 14
further comprising a group of switchable circuit means in power
connection with said switchable power-supply system, wherein said
group of switchable circuit means comprises a switchable
communication circuit coupled to said signal-transmitting medium,
and wherein said group of keep-alive circuit means further
comprises (i) keep-alive memory circuitry and (ii) keep-alive
operating instructions stored in said keep-alive memory circuitry
for allowing said keep-alive control means to request said
keep-alive communication circuit to detect said communication
signal in a keep-alive state and to actuate said switchable
communication circuit for establishing communication in detection
of said communication signal.
25. An energy-conserving operating system comprising the steps of:
(a) activating a set of keep-alive operating instructions
continuously operable for governing when to activate a set of main
operating instructions that requires more random access memory than
said set of keep-alive operating instructions, so as to selectively
enter an energy-conserving state and a main operating state; (b)
powering down to said energy-conserving state in which said set of
main operating instructions is rendered inoperable, if selectively
detecting no activity for a preset period of time or detecting a
power-down signal; and (c) powering up to said main operating state
in which said set of main operating instructions is rendered
operable, if detecting a power-up signal.
26. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said set of keep-alive operating instructions is adapted to
comprise a communication program operable in said energy-conserving
state for requesting a keep-alive communication circuit to be
activated for detecting a ring signal.
27. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said set of main operating instructions is adapted to comprise a
communication program operable in said main operating state for
requesting a communication circuit to be activated for detecting a
ring signal.
28. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said activating is adapted to load said set of keep-alive
instructions to keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry and
wherein said powering up is adapted to restore said main operating
instructions from nonvolatile memory storage to main
random-access-memory circuitry.
29. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said activating is adapted to load said set of keep-alive
instructions to a predetermined region of keep-alive
random-access-memory modules that can be continuously kept alive,
and wherein said powering up is adapted to restore said main
operating instructions from nonvolatile memory storage to another
predetermined region of said keep-alive random-access-memory
modules that can be powered selectively up or down.
30. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said set of keep-alive operating instructions is adapted to create
keep-alive task information for restoring previous task activity
when said powering up is executed, said keep-alive task information
being created, updated, and saved to keep-alive
random-access-memory circuitry before said powering down is
executed.
31. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said set of keep-alive operating instructions is adapted to create
keep-alive task information for restoring previous task activity
when said powering up is executed, said keep-alive task information
being created, updated, and saved to keep-alive
random-access-memory circuitry and nonvolatile memory storage
before said powering down is executed.
32. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said activating is adapted to load said set of keep-alive
instructions to keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry and
wherein said powering up is adapted to enter (i) a first operating
state in which said set of main operating instructions will be
restored via actuating nonvolatile memory storage for retrieving
information therefrom to main random-access-memory circuitry, (ii)
a second operating state in which information retrieval and storage
will be limited to only said main random-access-memory circuitry,
so as to execute said main operating instructions at full operating
speed, and (iii) a third operating state in which any newly
modified files will be stored from said main random-access-memory
circuitry to said nonvolatile memory storage in detection of said
power-down signal.
33. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said powering down and said powering up are adapted respectively to
deactivate and to activate a switchable power-supply system for not
providing and for providing power to a plurality of circuit means
including main microprocessor circuitry and volatile memory
circuitry utilized for execution of said main operating
instructions, so as to enter said energy-conserving state and said
main operating state, respectively.
34. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25, wherein
said powering down is adapted to be executed after any newly
modified files are stored to nonvolatile memory storage.
35. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25 further
comprising a step of allocating part of keep-alive
random-access-memory circuitry for storing incoming information to
be received in said energy-conserving state.
36. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25 further
comprising a step of powering up to a communication state in which
a switchable power-supply system is activated to provide a
switchable power supply only to a switchable communication circuit
and nonvolatile memory storage for respectively receiving and
storing incoming information to be received, if only a ring signal
is detected.
37. The energy-conserving operating system of claim 25 further
comprising the steps of (i) allowing a user to request a forwarding
or routing service, and (ii) if said forward or routing service is
requested, initiating another communication link to another remote
communication apparatus accordingly.
38. An Internet communication system comprising: (a) communication
means connected to the Internet and rendered operable for sending a
ring signal and thus for initiating an outgoing communication link
to an offline communication device; (b) a control system for
controlling operation of said communication means; and (c)
operating instructions available to said control system for
requesting said communication means to send said ring signal in
accordance with a request submitted through an incoming
communication link from a remote communication device, so as to
allow said Internet communication system to provide requested
communication from said remote communication device to said offline
remote communication device via the Internet.
39. The Internet communication system of claim 38, wherein said
communication means comprises communication-link means selected
from the group consisting of telephone lines, at least one cable,
at least one optical fiber, at least one hybrid fiber coax, at
least one cellular phone channel, at least one satellite
communication channel, at least one wireless communication channel,
and their combinations, for initiating a plurality of said outgoing
communication links.
40. The Internet communication system of claim 38, wherein said
communication means is adapted to comprise a plurality of local
communication circuitry connected to the Internet at separate
locations, each of said local communication circuitry being
rendered operable for initiating a plurality of said outgoing
communication links and for establishing another plurality of said
incoming communication links.
41. The Internet communication system of claim 38, wherein said
communication means is adapted to comprise a plurality of local
communication circuitry connected to the Internet at separate
locations, and wherein said operation instructions are adapted to
comprise a step of selecting one of said local communication
circuitry that is situated at a location with an area code in
accordance with said request to send said ring signal to said
offline remote communication device.
42. The Internet communication system of claim 38, wherein said
operating instructions comprise a step of automatically terminating
said outgoing communication link selectively (i) if said remote
communication device terminates said incoming or said outgoing
communication link, and (ii) if said Internet communication system
completes the sending of requested information to said offline
remote communication device and detects no activity on said
outgoing communication link for a preset period of time.
43. The Internet communication system of claim 38 further
comprising memory storage for storing information to be transmitted
between said remote communication device and said offline remote
communication device.
44. The Internet communication system of claim 38 further
comprising memory storage for storing information to be delivered
thereto, and wherein said operating instructions are provided for
requesting said communication means to send a message to said
offline remote communication device through said outgoing
communication link to instantly notify the delivering of said
information.
45. A method for enabling an Internet service provider to provide
requested communications, comprising the steps of: (a) providing
communication means operable (i) for establishing an incoming
communication link to the Internet when receiving an incoming ring
signal from a remote communication device and (ii) for initiating
an outgoing communication link through sending an outgoing ring
signal to an offline remote communication device; (b) providing a
control system for controlling operation of said communication
means; and (c) providing operating instructions available to said
control system for instructing said communication means to send
said outgoing ring signal and thus to initiate said outgoing
communication link in accordance with a request submitted from said
remote communication device, so as to allow said remote
communication device to communicate with said offline remote
communication device via the Internet.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein said providing communication
means is adapted to provide a plurality of local communication
circuitry connected to the Internet at separate locations, each of
said local communication circuitry being further rendered operable
for establishing a plurality of said incoming communication links
and for initiating another plurality of said outgoing communication
links.
47. The method of claim 45, wherein said providing communication
means is adapted to provide a plurality of local communication
circuitry connected to the Internet at separate locations, and
wherein said providing operation instructions is adapted to provide
a step of selecting one of said local communication circuitry that
is situated at a location with an area code in accordance with said
request to send said outgoing ring signal to said offline remote
communication device.
48. The method of claim 45 further comprising the steps of (i)
determining if a forwarding or routing service is requested, (ii)
if yes, instructing said communication means to further send
another outgoing ring signal to another offline remote
communication device accordingly, so as to initiate another
outgoing communication link, and (iii) forwarding or routing
requested information to said another remote communication
device.
49. A communication operating system for enabling an Internet
communication system to provide requested communication links,
comprising the steps of: (a) allowing said Internet communication
system to establish a plurality of incoming communication links
each to be initiated by a remote communication apparatus to access
the Internet; (b) determining if said remote communication
apparatuses each submits a request for communicating further with
an offline communication apparatus; and (c) if yes, instructing
said Internet communication system to send an outgoing ring signal
to a respective one of said offline communication apparatuses
accordingly so as to establish another plurality of outgoing
communication links.
50. The communication operating system of claim 49 further
comprising the steps of (i) determining if a forwarding or routing
service is requested, and (ii) if yes, sending another outgoing
ring signal for initiating a third communication link to another
offline remote communication apparatus accordingly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
information communications and more particularly to
energy-conserving information communication apparatuses (including
computers) kept alive through the least amount of energy
technologically possible for establishing instant communications,
to an energy-conserving operating system operable between an
energy-conserving and a main operating state, to an Internet
service provider or Internet communication system for providing
requested communications, and to the methods therefor, so as to
allow the energy-conserving information communication apparatuses
to stay connected via the Internet, yet without requiring to stay
online as seen in the conventional practice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A modern computer system is mostly equipped with a modem for
sending and receiving facsimile information as well as for gaining
access to the Internet. Thus far, however, it cannot replace a
typical fax machine because of its inconvenience in usage and
inefficiency in power consumption. Inconvenience in usage is
directly associated with the booting process of computer from a
power-off state to an operating state, which is time consuming. In
contrast, any fax machine is readily operable for receiving or
transmitting facsimile information. With respect to power
consumption, a conventional fax machine requires roughly 10 watts
of power in order to maintain its standby state for detecting an
incoming call. Much higher power consumption is expected for
maintaining a conventional computer system at a corresponding
standby state, in which its power supply unit (including a cooling
fan), motherboard (including expansion cards), hard-disk drive, CD
drive, and monitor will all incur various degrees of energy waste
and will also reduce mechanical/electronic life expectancy due to
mechanical rotation.
[0003] Recently, a great deal of effort has been made to conserve
power usage in information-processing apparatuses, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,491,721 and 5,588,054 dealing with modems, and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,713 dealing with computer systems. The prior
arts basically improve power utilization after AC power is
converted to regulated DC power through utilizing a power
management processor to place a computer system selectively between
a normal state and a standby state. However, improvement of a modem
or a power-supply unit alone can neither enable a whole computer to
operate more power-efficiently nor resolve the inconvenience
mentioned hereinabove.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,524 suggests a power supply system
utilizing a command supply (i.e., switchable) to power both a fan
and peripherals, which may not be desirable in view of U.S. Pat.
No. 5,513,361 describing a fan controllable to dissipate heat
discharged from its host CPU (central processing unit). Similar to
other prior arts, U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,524 also defines that its
standby state represents the lowest power consumption mode for a
computer system, equivalent to turning the computer off, and thus a
user should save work in progress, close applications, and exit to
the system prompt. In accordance with the conventional practice,
consequently, no previous task or activity is restorable or
resumable once a computer system enters the conventional standby
state. To the contrary, it is highly desirable to maintain an
application software program active so as to allow a computer
system to be instantaneously and remotely accessible for receiving
facsimile information once an incoming call is detected and so as
to enable a user to instantaneously continue his/her unfinished
tasks or files without reloading the software and the files. These
features are attainable for a conventional computer continuously
maintained at a sleep mode, but at the cost of incurring
substantial energy waste as well as mechanical/electronic
failure.
[0005] While U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,524 deals with supplying main
power selectively to a system board as a whole, U.S. Pat. No.
5,629,694 discloses a new keyboard with a power control key and
suggests that its system board is divided into three zones
energized respectively by battery power, standby power, and main
power. The former affords neither power conserving nor
instantaneous accessibility because its system board as a whole is
energized and de-energized, respectively. On the other hand, the
latter defines that the elements energized selectively by main
power are standard sub-system (such as RAMs, ROMs, disc drives),
expansion buses, etc. Removal of the main power will save energy,
but will also totally vaporize all vital information stored in the
RAMs. As a result, any conventional computer needs to go through
the booting procedure in order to re-find all of the necessary
addresses from a hard-disk drive for reloading previously loaded
software programs back to the RAMs. Because the booting procedure
is time-consuming, no conventional computer is instantaneously
accessible for establishing communication once entering the
conventional standby state.
[0006] Also well known is that a conventional PC power supply can
only be turned on or off manually for either supplying or not
supplying power. If to be idled for a prolonged period of time, a
computer should be manually turned off rather than placed into a
sleep mode in accordance with the conventional practice utilized in
the Microsoft's window operating system that is clearly embodied in
a familiar screen display "It's now safe to turn off your
computer." Once turned off, however, it is simply inoperable. On
the other hand, once turned on, it will continuously incur energy
waste and shorten the life expectancy of a cooling fan even in the
sleep mode.
[0007] It is the conventional practice from which communications
between personal computers (PCs) and the Internet has thus evolved.
However, the Internet allows only a PC to initiate a communication
link to an Internet server for retrieving information therefrom or
for transmitting e-mails therethrough, which is considered to be a
passive mode of communications. Specifically, any e-mail has to
send to a POP (post office protocol) server for storage and to idle
therein for manual retrieval. In other words, the conventional
practice does not allow anyone to be notified with the arrival of
an e-mail unless he/she occurs to log onto the POP server.
Likewise, even based on gateway software, the service of "instant
message" offered by America Online Inc. is workable only for the
PCs that are powered on and stayed online. The latter requires that
a phone line be continuously occupied, which is impractical.
Although communications between PCs may be achieved through a
software program called Symantec PC anywhere, it is required that
the conventional PCs be manually powered on for each use, which is
also impractical and unacceptable as compared with the phone
system. Another conventional example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,671
discloses a system for controlling data access in a computer
network, in which a server is able to register "a virtual telephone
call" from a subscriber telephone number to a service telephone
number associated with the requested data stored in the server so
as to bill the subscriber for his/her access at a preset charge.
Because the data are stored in the server or the Internet, the
virtual telephone call and utility of the prior patent are used
only for establishing the charge, not for establishing
communication with another client or PC. In essence, the
conventional practice does not allow any power-off or even offline
PCs to receive any information from the Internet, not mention to
communicate directly with each other.
[0008] My allowed prior patent application (Ser. No. 09/026,032)
discloses an energy-conserving power-supply system having
keep-alive power and a control system for actuating the supply of
either main DC power or AC power so as to maximize energy savings.
My other patent application (Ser. No. 09/293,089) takes
consideration of the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned
hereinabove, providing a new type of line-operated or
battery-operated computer for achieving not only optimized energy
savings and extended battery life but instantaneous and remote
accessibility, thus totally eliminating conventional,
time-consuming, manual shutdown and booting processes, for the
first time. The present application takes a further step to give
birth to a next-generation information communication system or
computer remotely reachable for establishing instant communications
just like telephones. Not only will my present application allow
the energy-conserving information communication apparatuses or
computers to stay connected in a globe scale for establishing
instant and direct communications, but it will greatly contribute
to energy savings in view of their mass market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, a first primary preferred embodiment of the
present invention is to provide an energy-conserving computer
system remotely reachable for establishing instant communications,
comprising (a) switchable power-supply system comprising switching
means for selectively distributing switchable power; (b) a group of
switchable circuits coupled to the switchable power-supply system,
comprising a main microprocessor and nonvolatile memory storage;
(c) keep-alive power-supply system for continuously distributing
keep-alive power; (d) a group of keep-alive circuits coupled to the
keep-alive power-supply system, comprising keep-alive memory means,
a keep-alive communication circuit, and keep-alive control means;
and (e) keep-alive operating instructions provided for allowing the
keep-alive control means to request the keep-alive communication
circuit to detect a communication signal in a keep-alive state in
which the switchable power-supply system is deactivated for
conserving energy. The keep-alive communication circuit may be
adapted to comprise circuitry means for performing data conversion
between digital and analog signals in the keep-alive state.
Preferably, the keep-alive control means is adapted to comprise a
keep-alive microprocessor for controlling the keep-alive
communication circuit and the keep-alive memory circuitry to
respectively receive and store any incoming information having a
size smaller than a storage size available on the keep-alive memory
circuitry, so as to render the energy-conserving computer reachable
and operable for establishing instant communication in the
keep-alive state. The keep-alive operating instructions are
provided for allowing the keep-alive control means to activate the
switchable power-supply system to supply the switchable power to
the main microprocessor selectively (i) if in response to detection
of the communication signal, no communication link is able to be
established within a predetermined period of time, (ii) if the
nonvolatile memory storage needs to be accessed, or (iii) if a
manually-activated power-up signal is detected. The group of
switchable circuit means preferably comprises selectively (i) a
switchable communication circuit rendered actuatable in response to
the communication signal for establishing communication with a
remote communication system, (ii) volatile memory storage for
loading information randomly accessible to the main microprocessor,
(iii) means actuatable for dissipating heat, and/or (iv)
temperature-sensitive cooling means. Preferably, the keep-alive
operating instructions stored in the keep-alive memory means
comprise task information readily available to the keep-alive
control means for restoring a plurality of main tasks from the
nonvolatile memory storage to the volatile memory storage when the
switchable power-supply system is activated for providing the
switchable power. The switchable power may be AC power, regulated
DC power, DC power, and their combinations. On the other hand, the
keep-alive DC power may be provided or generated from a power
source selected from the group consisting of a signal-transmitting
medium carrying keep-alive power, an external AC-power source,
battery, rechargeable battery, fuel-cell means, and their
combinations. Preferably, the switchable power-supply system and
the keep-alive power-supply system comprise separate power sources
for providing the switchable power or the keep-alive DC power, so
that power is always available from one source or another. In
short, the energy-conserving computer system not only is remotely
accessible at any time but conserves energy to the greatest
extent.
[0010] A second primary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is to provide an energy-conserving communication
apparatus remotely reachable for establishing instant
communications, comprising (a) a switchable power-supply system
comprising switching means for selectively providing switchable
power; (b) a keep-alive power-supply system connectable with a
signal-transmitting medium (such as a cable, optical fiber, hybrid
fiber coaxial cable, CATV cable, and their combinations) that
carries a keep-alive power source, for providing keep-alive power
from the keep-alive power source; and (c) a group of keep-alive
circuit means coupled to the keep-alive power-supply system,
comprising (i) a keep-alive communication circuit coupled to the
signal-transmitting medium, and (ii) keep-alive control means for
controlling an activity of the switching means, so as to allow the
energy-conserving communication apparatus to enter a keep-alive
state in which the switchable power-supply system is deactivated
while the keep-alive communication circuit remains operable for
detecting a communication signal initiated from a remote
communication system. The keep-alive power-supply system may
further comprise an additional power source of battery for
supplying backup keep-alive DC power. The switchable power may be
AC power, regulated DC power, DC power, and their combinations
provided or generated from a power source selected from the group
consisting of an external AC-power source, battery, rechargeable
battery, fuel-cell means, and their combinations. The
energy-conserving communication apparatus may further comprise a
group of switchable circuit means coupled to the switchable
power-supply system, selectively including (i) a main
microprocessor and nonvolatile memory storage operable when the
switchable power-supply system is activated for providing the
switchable power, (ii) means actuatable in response to the
communication signal for printing incoming information, (iii) means
actuatable (or temperature-sensitive) for dissipating heat, and/or
(iv) a switchable communication circuit coupled to the
signal-transmitting medium and rendered actuatable for establishing
communication in response to detection of the communication signal.
Preferably, the group of keep-alive circuit means further comprises
(i) keep-alive memory circuitry and (ii) keep-alive operating
instructions stored in the keep-alive memory circuitry for allowing
the keep-alive control means to request the keep-alive
communication circuit to detect the communication signal in a
keep-alive state and to actuate the switchable communication
circuit for establishing communication in detection of the
communication signal. Accordingly, the energy-conserving
communication apparatus is rendered remotely reachable for
establishing instant communication utilizing only the power source
of a typical phone line, for the first time.
[0011] A third primary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is to provide an energy-conserving operating system
capable of selectively performing a keep-alive (or
energy-conserving) operation and a main (or normal) operation.
Specifically, comprised are the steps of (a) activating a set of
keep-alive operating instructions continuously operable for
governing when to activate a set of main operating instructions
that requires more random access memory than the set of keep-alive
operating instructions, so as to selectively enter an
energy-conserving state and a main operating state; (b) powering
down to the energy-conserving state in which the set of main
operating instructions is rendered inoperable, if selectively
detecting no activity for a preset period of time or detecting a
power-down signal; and (c) powering up to the main operating state
in which the set of main operating instructions is rendered
operable, if detecting a power-up signal. Preferably, the set of
keep-alive operating instructions is adapted to comprise a
communication program operable in the energy-conserving state
and/or the main operating state for requesting a keep-alive
communication circuit to be activated for detecting a ring signal.
The activating is adapted to load the set of keep-alive
instructions to keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry
(especially to a predetermined region or address) and wherein the
powering up is adapted to restore the main operating instructions
from nonvolatile memory storage to main random-access-memory
circuitry (especially to another predetermined region or address)
that can be powered selectively up or down. The set of keep-alive
operating instructions is adapted to create keep-alive task
information for restoring previous task activity when the powering
up is executed, the keep-alive task information being created,
updated, and saved to keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry
and/or nonvolatile memory storage before the powering down is
executed. Furthermore, the powering up is adapted to enter (i) a
first operating state in which the set of main operating
instructions will be restored via actuating nonvolatile memory
storage for retrieving information therefrom to main
random-access-memory circuitry, (ii) a second operating state in
which information retrieval and storage will be limited to only the
main random-access-memory circuitry, so as to execute the main
operating instructions at full operating speed, and (iii) a third
operating state in which any newly modified files will be stored
from the main random-access-memory circuitry to the nonvolatile
memory storage in detection of the power-down signal. Preferably,
the powering down and the powering up are adapted respectively to
deactivate and to activate a switchable power-supply system for not
providing and for providing power main microprocessor circuitry and
volatile memory circuitry utilized for execution of the main
operating instructions, so as to enter the energy-conserving state
and the main operating state, respectively. The powering down is
further adapted to be executed after any newly modified files are
stored to nonvolatile memory storage. Further comprised are (i) a
step of allocating part of keep-alive random-access-memory
circuitry for storing incoming information to be received in the
energy-conserving state, (ii) a step of powering up to a
communication state in which a switchable power-supply system is
activated to provide a switchable power supply only to a switchable
communication circuit and nonvolatile memory storage for
respectively receiving and storing incoming information to be
received, if only a ring signal is detected, and (iii) a step of
allowing a user to request a forwarding or routing service.
[0012] A fourth primary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is to provide an Internet communication system comprising
(a) communication means connected to the Internet and rendered
operable for sending a ring signal and thus for initiating an
outgoing communication link to an offline communication device; (b)
a control system for controlling operation of the communication
means; and (c) operating instructions available to the control
system for requesting the communication means to send the ring
signal in accordance with a request submitted through an incoming
communication link from a remote communication device, so as to
allow the Internet communication system to provide requested
communication from the remote communication device to the offline
remote communication device via the Internet. Herein the offline
remote communication device may be a server computer, a desktop
computer, a portable computer, a notebook computer, a wireless
phones, or a cellular phone each comprising a respective
communication circuit that stays normally in an offline state
capable of receiving an incoming ring signal. Preferably, the
communication means comprises a communication-link means such as a
telephone line, cable, optical fiber, hybrid fiber coax, cellular
phone channel, satellite communication channel, wireless
communication channel, and their combinations, for initiating a
plurality of the outgoing communication links. The communication
means is further adapted to comprise a plurality of local
communication circuitry connected to the Internet at separate
locations, each of the local communication circuitry being rendered
operable for initiating a plurality of the outgoing communication
links and for establishing another plurality of the incoming
communication links. The operation instructions are adapted to
selectively comprise (i) a step of selecting one of the local
communication circuitry that is situated at a location with an area
code in accordance with the request to send the ring signal to the
offline remote communication device, or (ii) a step of
automatically terminating the outgoing communication link
selectively if the remote communication device terminates the
incoming or the outgoing communication link, or if the Internet
communication system completes the sending of requested information
to the offline remote communication device and detects no activity
on the outgoing communication link for a preset period of time. The
Internet communication system may further comprise memory storage
for storing information to be transmitted between the remote
communication device and the offline remote communication device.
The operating instructions are provided for requesting the
communication means to send a message to the offline remote
communication device through the outgoing communication link to
instantly notify the delivering of the information.
[0013] A fifth primary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is to provide a method for enabling an Internet service
provider to provide requested communications, comprising the steps
of (a) providing communication means operable (i) for establishing
an incoming communication link to the Internet when receiving an
incoming ring signal from a remote communication device and (ii)
for initiating an outgoing communication link through sending an
outgoing ring signal to an offline remote communication device; (b)
providing a control system for controlling operation of the
communication means; and (c) providing operating instructions
rendered available to the control system for instructing the
communication means to send the outgoing ring signal and thus to
initiate the outgoing communication link in accordance with a
request submitted from the remote communication device, so as to
allow the remote communication device to communicate with the
offline remote communication device via the Internet. The step of
providing communication means is adapted to provide a plurality of
local communication circuitry connected to the Internet at separate
locations, each of the local communication circuitry being further
rendered operable for establishing a plurality of the incoming
communication links and for initiating another plurality of the
outgoing communication links. The step of providing operation
instructions is adapted to provide a step of selecting one of the
local communication circuitry that is situated at a location with
an area code in accordance with the request to send the outgoing
ring signal to the offline remote communication device, at the rate
of a local call or a reduced rate. The method may further comprise
a step of providing a forwarding or routing service.
[0014] A sixth primary preferred embodiment of the present
invention is to provide a communication operating system for
enabling an Internet communication system to provide requested
communication links, the communication operating system comprising
the steps of (a) allowing the Internet communication system to
establish a plurality of incoming communication links each to be
initiated by a remote communication apparatus to access the
Internet; (b) determining if the remote communication apparatuses
each submits a request for communicating further with an offline
communication apparatus; and (c) if yes, instructing the Internet
communication system to send an outgoing ring signal to a
respective one of the offline communication apparatuses accordingly
so as to establish another plurality of outgoing communication
links. The communication operating system may further afford a
forwarding or routing service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional computer.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an energy-conserving computer
remotely accessible for establishing instant and direct
communications, in accordance with a first primary preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an energy-conserving computer
system comprising an energy-conserving communication apparatus in
accordance with a second primary preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an energy-conserving
communication device kept alive through the power carried by a
phone line in accordance with the second primary preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an energy-conserving operating
system operable selectively between a keep-live and a main
operating state, in accordance with a third primary preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of an Internet service
provider rendered operable for initiating an outgoing communication
link to an offline remote communication device in accordance with
fourth and fifth primary preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an ISP operating system used in
conjunction with an ISP for allowing a plurality of remote
communication apparatuses to access another plurality of offline
remote communication apparatuses, in accordance with fifth and
sixth primary preferred embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] In conventional practice, FIG. 1, a line-operated
power-supply unit 110 utilized in a computer system 100 basically
contains an AC-power receptacle 111, a manual power switch 112 for
manually inputting AC power (either 115 or 220 VAC) from a wall AC
outlet (i.e., an external AC source) 103, an AC outlet 113 for
outputting 115 VAC to power a monitor 130 at the same time, a
cooling fan 114, and a power circuit 105. Power circuit 105 has
several DC-power outputs (including .+-.12 VDC, .+-.5 VDC,
powergood, and ground lines) for supplying regulated DC power to a
host computer motherboard 120, a hard-disk drive 140, a CD drive
150, and a floppy-disk drive 160. In circuit communication with
motherboard 120, each of the last three drives receives +12 VDC and
+5 VDC directly from power circuit 105. Motherboard 120 is mounted
with a microprocessor (MPU) 121, read only memory (ROM) 122,
random-access memory (RAM) 123, a power management circuit (PMC)
124, an internal modem 125, a sound card 126, a video card 127, and
a battery 128. A fan 129 mounted on MPU 121 always keeps rotating
in order to remove heat dissipated from MPU 121. Motherboard 120 is
also in circuit communication with a keyboard 170, a mouse 180, and
a phone line 190. PMC 124 renders computer system 100 operable in
several states including an off, standby, or suspended state for
conserving power.
[0023] In accordance with the conventional practice, substantial
energy waste is inevitable even if computer system 100 is placed in
its standby state. First, power-supply unit 110 has to continuously
supply regulated DC power to the entire circuitry of motherboard
120, including the whole entity of MPU 121, all memory modules (RAM
and ROM), all expansion slots and respective expansion cards or
boards 124-127. Second, the cooling fan for dissipating heat
generated by the power-supply unit is designed to rotate
continuously, once computer system 100 is turned on, thus incurring
energy waste even in the standby or off state. Third, regulated DC
power is continuously supplied to peripheral drives including
hard-disk drive 140, CD drive 150, and floppy-disk drive 160.
Fourth, AC power output to an external line-operated device (for
example, monitor 130) is not signal actuatable; thus, energy waste
is inevitable not only within but outside the computer system, once
AC power is turned on. On the other hand, once entering the
conventional power-off state, computer system 100 receives no power
and all information previously stored in RAM will be lost totally.
Consequently, no previous task is restorable or resumable, even if
computer system 100 can be remotely actuated.
[0024] Accordingly, a first primary preferred embodiments of the
present invention are to provide an energy-conserving computer
remotely reachable for establishing instant and direct
communications.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a block diagram of
an energy-conserving computer 200 basically comprising an
energy-conserving power-supply system 210 and an energy-conserving
motherboard 220. Comprised in energy-conserving power-supply system
210 are an AC-power receptacle 211 for receiving AC power from a
wall AC outlet 203 (i.e., an external AC source) and for supplying
an AC-power supply 211A, a relay 213R for distributing a switchable
AC power supply 213S to an AC outlet 213, a rechargeable battery
212, and a switchable power-supply circuit 214 for providing
regulated DC power (converted from AC power) to relays 214R and
215R and for supplying a keep-alive power supply 214K to a
keep-alive power connector 221K. Relays 213R, 214R and 215R are
signal controllable respectively through interface lines 213C, 214C
and 215C that are in circuit communication with keep-alive MP
circuitry 222K of a microprocessor (or CPU) 222, thus capable of
receiving a control signal in a keep-alive state for actuating the
distribution of switchable AC power supply 213S, switchable
DC-power supplies 214S and 215S. Switchable DC-power supply 214S is
further distributed to a plurality of outlets including a power
line 214M for supplying main DC power with various voltage outputs
to a main power connector 221M stationarily disposed on
energy-conserving motherboard 220, and power lines for energizing
secondary storage including a hard-disk drive 240, a CD drive 250,
and a floppy-disk drive 260. On the other hand, relay 215R is
provided for selectively distributing switchable DC power 215S to
cooling fans 219 and 229 (respectively enclosed in
energy-conserving power-supply system 210 and disposed on
microprocessor 222). Preferably, relay 215R is a thermostat (i.e.,
a temperature-sensitive switch) arranged in such a manner as to be
actuated at the time when detecting that the temperature inside
energy-conserving computer 200 or preferably microprocessor 222
exceeds a preset value. In any events, these additional relays
allow the activities of cooling fans 219 and 229 to be controlled
separately from host and peripheral devices including
energy-conserving motherboard 220, hard-disk drive 240, CD drive
250, floppy-disk drive 260, a keyboard 285, and a mouse 280.
[0026] In brief, energy-conserving power-supply system 210 is
rendered to comprise keep-alive power-supply circuitry for
continuously supplying low-amperage DC power (e.g., 500 mA or less)
and switchable power-supply circuitry for selectively supplying
high-amperage DC power (typically, from 1 to 24 A) only when
needed.
[0027] Comprised in energy-conserving motherboard 220 are
keep-alive power-supply circuitry 220K and switchable power-supply
circuitry 220M, which is totally different from motherboard 120 in
a conventional type from the view point of power distributing and
characteristics. More specifically, energy-conserving motherboard
220 is afforded with keep-alive power connector 221K for receiving
keep-alive power supply 214K and with main power connector 221M for
receiving main DC power through power line 214M, so as to limit
keep-alive power consumption within the region defined by
keep-alive power-supply circuitry 220K. Further comprised in
energy-conserving motherboard 220 are microprocessor 222 having
keep-alive MP circuitry 222K and main MP circuitry 222M, keep-alive
memory modules 223K and main memory modules 223M, keep-alive
expansion slots 271K-273K and switchable expansion slots 274M-276M,
and jumpers 272J and 273J. Preferably, keep-alive MP circuitry 222K
servers as a center controller for controlling an activity of
relays 213R-215R in the keep-alive state. Keep-alive memory modules
223K and main memory modules 223M may be rewritable random access
memory (i.e., primary memory) that is fast in speed but volatile in
nature. However, because of being continuously powered, keep-alive
memory modules 223K become nonvolatile in effect. Preferably,
keep-alive memory modules 223K are SRAM (static random-access
memory) chips or modules and/or a combination of SRAM and ROM
modules. Use of the SRAM modules eliminates the need to refresh the
contents of information stored therein many times a second; thus,
the task information needed to be kept alive can be retained
through power of a small battery during the keep-alive state. Use
of ROM chips or modules allows some preset basic operating
instructions (such as a flowchart to be discussed in FIG. 3) to be
resident without loading software each time. Jumpers 272J and 273J
each with two pins respectively render expansion slots 272K and
273K selectively alive (currently) and inactive (when opened) in
the keep-alive state, allowing the keep-alive and switchable
power-supply circuitry to be manually reconfigured at need.
[0028] Expansion slots are input/output (I/O) connectors in effect.
Modem and network cards can be detachably established circuit
connection with ISA-bus-type expansion slots 271K and 272K, so as
to be kept alive for receiving facsimile information and for being
interfaced by a LAN (local area network). Another ISA-bus-type slot
276M can be used to detachably establish circuit connection with a
16-bit sound card. Expansion slot 274M is of a PCI-bus type
suitable for detachably establishing circuit connection with a
32-bit PCI video card that is in circuit connection further with a
monitor 230 through a bus 230B. Thus, neither sound card 276M,
video card 274M nor empty bus slots is powered, thus totally
eliminating any power waste inevitably incurred by a conventional
computer placed in the conventional standby state.
[0029] Bus connectors are also I/O connectors in nature. FIG. 2
shows that peripheral drives including hard-disk drive 240, CD
drive 250, and floppy-disk drive 260 are connected respectively
through buses 240B, 250B, and 260B to bus connectors that are part
of switchable power-supply circuitry 220M. On the other hand, a
phone line 290 is coupled to a modem card 281 disposed on slot 271K
that is part of keep-alive power-supply circuitry 220K. Also part
of keep-alive power-supply circuitry 220K are connectors currently
connected by keyboard 285 and mouse 280.
[0030] All of the elements or circuitry disposed on
energy-conserving motherboard 220 can be categorized into two
groups, i.e., a group of keep-alive circuitry with reference
numerals ended with "K" (including keep-alive power connector 221K,
keep-alive MP circuitry 222K, keep-alive memory modules 223K, and
keep-alive expansion slots 271K-273K) and a group of switchable
circuitry with reference numerals ended with "M" (including main
power connector 221M, main MP circuitry 222M, and switchable
expansion slots 274M-276M). The group of keep-alive circuitry
includes not only keep-alive memory modules 223K but a CMOS clock
circuit (not shown) that is required for continuously providing a
current time and date, while the group of switchable circuitry is
selectively energized by switchable power-supply circuitry 220M
only when needed. To facilitate installation, the connectors or
slots comprised in the keep-alive power-supply circuitry
(especially keep-alive power connector 221K, and slots 223K and
271K-273K) may be adapted into a green color, while the switchable
power-supply circuitry (especially main power connector 221M, slots
223M and 274M-276M) are in red. Another alternative is to
respectively label the power connectors and slots, so as to render
the keep-alive and the switchable connectors (or slots) visually
distinguishable from each other for the purpose of detachably
establishing circuit communication with corresponding keep-alive
and switchable circuit cards (including memory modules)
properly.
[0031] Preferably, either keep-alive memory modules 223K or
nonvolatile memory storage such as hard-disk drive 240 is adapted
to comprise an area predefined specifically for storing incoming
information. Any transferring of the incoming information requires
going through a step of virus detection, so as to prevent spreading
of virus, if any, to other areas of the nonvolatile memory
storage.
[0032] In brief, energy-conserving motherboard 220 comprises (a)
keep-alive power-supply circuitry 220K for continuously
distributing low-amperage keep-alive DC power to at least one
connector (or bus slot) each for detachably establishing circuit
communication with a circuit board (or a memory module) to be kept
alive, (b) a first group of circuitry in power connection with the
keep-alive power-supply circuitry, wherein the first group of
circuitry includes keep-alive memory (preferably, SRAM) for storing
task information to be retained and preferably keep-alive MP
circuitry, (c) switchable power-supply circuitry 220M comprising
switching means for selectively supplying high-amperage regulated
main DC power (converted from AC power), only when needed, to a
plurality of connectors for detachably establishing circuit
communication with circuit cards to be selectively powered by the
main DC power, and (d) a second group of circuitry in power
connection with the switchable power-supply circuitry, wherein the
second group of circuitry includes volatile memory and main MP
circuitry that are known to become increasingly power hungry.
Accordingly, energy-conserving computer 200 becomes remotely
accessible through a modem and instantaneously restorable to resume
previous activity, through use of the very least amount of power
technologically possible.
[0033] Keep-alive MP circuitry 222K renders energy-conserving
computer 200 controllable from the keep-alive state without
requiring additional hardware such as a power management circuit
board utilized in conventional practice. The keep-alive state of
the present invention possesses all functions available to a
conventional operating state, yet consumes power not much different
from a conventional power-off state. In contrast, a conventional
computer in the power-off state is totally inaccessible unless
being manually powered up and going through a time-consuming
booting process.
[0034] Keep-alive memory modules 223K are provided for retaining
task information that renders energy-conserving computer 200
instantaneously restorable especially to resume previous activity
if detecting a signal from mouse 280 or keyboard 285. In contrast,
the conventional computer cannot retain its previous activity once
entering the power-off state and inevitably requires a
time-consuming booting process that is not practical for facsimile
and telephone-answering applications.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a second primary
preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing an
energy-conserving computer 300 comprising basically an
energy-conserving communication 400 (to be detailed in FIG. 4)
disposed on an energy-conserving motherboard 320 coupled to an
energy-conserving power-supply system 310. Energy-conserving
power-supply system 310 has various components nearly identical to
energy-conserving power-supply system 210 displayed in FIG. 2,
except for an additional relay 316R for providing a switchable
power supply 316S to a main power connector 321M. Relays 214R and
316R are controlled by a keep-alive control circuit 430 (to be
shown in FIG. 4) through interface lines 314C and 316C.
Furthermore, energy-conserving motherboard 320 has a much limited
region of keep-alive power-supply circuitry 320K for distributing
keep-alive power to a manual-operable button 381 on a mouse 380 and
a hybrid expansion slot 371 (having keep-alive and switchable
portions 371K and 371M) for accommodating energy-conserving
communication apparatus 400.
[0036] The supply of separate switchable power supplies to main
memory modules 223M (i.e., volatile memory storage) and main MP
circuitry 322M and to hard-disk drive 240 (i.e., nonvolatile memory
storage), and rechargeable battery 212 is arranged to provide
backup DC power to switchable power-supply circuitry 214 when the
AC power is suddenly absent, so as to allow energy-conserving
computer 300 to "safely" gain full operating speed via performing
information retrieval and storage only on the volatile memory
storage. In contrast, operation of a conventional computer requires
that the process of information retrieval and storage be frequently
associated with a hard-disk drive, a very sluggish operation. The
sluggishness becomes even more severe when the sleep mode of the
conventional practice turns off and on the rotation of the
hard-disk drive frequently.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, further illustrated is the second
primary preferred embodiment of the present invention in which
energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 and/or
energy-conserving computer 300 will be kept alive through the
keep-alive power carried on a signal-transmitting medium, i.e.,
phone line 290 specifically in this preferred embodiment. Other
signal-transmitting media suitable for the purpose of carrying
communication signals and power may include a cable, coaxial cable,
optical fiber, hybrid fiber coaxial cable, CATV cable, and their
combinations.
[0038] Energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 is rendered to
comprise a phone modular socket 401 for removably accommodating a
phone modular jack with the signal-transmitting medium of phone
line including a tip line 402T and a ring line 402R that are
powered at 48 V DC from storage batteries for communication
circuitry and at 90 to 145 V AC (at 20, 30, 40, or 50 kHz
superimposed upon the DC operating current) from local AC
generators for ring circuitry. A keep-alive power-supply circuit
410 is afforded for regulating the power carried on the phone line
so as to output keep-alive DC power to a ring detect circuit (or
keep-alive communication circuit) 420, a control circuit 430, and
SRAM 440. Ring detect circuit 420 in circuit connection with the
phone line is adapted to detect a ring signal carried by 90 to 145
V AC. Coupled to ring detect circuit 420 is a relay 471R that is
normally at a first position for readily alerting control circuit
430 through an RI (ring indicator) pin if there is an incoming
call. Upon detection of an incoming call from a remote
communication system, control circuit 430 not only switches relay
471R into a second position for establishing connection with a
communication circuit 450 but actuates a relay 472R for supplying
main DC power from a switchable power-supply circuit 460 to
communication circuit 450. Control circuit 430 further monitors the
activities of communication circuit 450 through a DTR (data
terminal ready) pin, a RD (received data) pin, and a TD
(transmitted data) pin, so as to switch off relays 471R and 472R
when detecting no activity. Preferably, switchable power-supply
circuit 460 receiving AC power from an AC-power receptacle 465
connected to a wall AC outlet 480 is coupled to a rechargeable
battery 461, so as to supply main DC power from rechargeable
battery 461 in the sudden absence of the AC power. In addition to
AC and battery power, switchable power-supply circuit 460 may
supply and generate switchable power from other power sources such
as fuel cells. Switchable power-supply circuit 460 ensures that
output communication signals conform to the FCC Part 68 rules.
[0039] With additional mechanisms for printing, energy-conserving
communication apparatus 400 can be a new type of fax machine that
consumes neither battery nor AC power completely in its keep-alive
state. Switchable power-supply circuit 460 may include another
relay adapted to be temperature sensitive for supplying a
switchable power supply to actuate a cooling fan to dissipate heat
only when the temperature inside the energy-conserving
communication apparatus exceeds a preset value.
[0040] Switchable power-supply circuit 460, rechargeable battery
461, and AC-power receptacle 465 shown in FIG. 4 may be disposed
exteriorly as replaced respectively by switchable power-supply
circuit 214, rechargeable battery 212, and AC-power receptacle 211
shown in FIG. 3, so that energy-conserving communication apparatus
400 is an expansion card to be plugged into hybrid expansion slot
371 on energy-conserving motherboard 320 (FIG. 3). The integration
of FIGS. 3 and 4 makes energy-conserving communication apparatus
400 itself an energy-conserving computer readily for establishing
communication and for storing incoming information to SRAM 440 or
hard-disk drive 240 (i.e., nonvolatile memory storage).
[0041] For use in digital applications, communication circuit 450
is adapted to comprise a modem chip (or an analog-to-digital
converter and a digital-to-analog converter respectively) for
demodulating and modulating data. SRAM 440 serving as keep-alive
memory circuitry is provided for storing operating instructions,
incoming information, and/or task information associated with
energy-conserving computer 300. Preferably, the operating
instructions are adapted to comprise a step of requesting
energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 be readily prepared
so as to actuate communication circuit 450 for receiving incoming
information when ring detect circuit 420 detects a ring (or
communication) signal.
[0042] Also preferred is a manually-operable input means such as
manual-operable button 381 on mouse 380 (shown in FIG. 3) for
manually requesting energy-conserving communication apparatus 400
and/or energy-conserving computer 300 to instantly enter a first, a
second, a third, and a fourth state. In the first state, the step
of requesting is actuated so as to switch relays 471R and 472R off
and to allow ring detect circuit 420 to be effective for detecting
an incoming call. In the second state, manual-operable button 381
requests control circuit 430 to actuate switchable power-supply
circuit 460 for providing main power to interface with main MP 322M
(seen also in FIG. 3) for resuming its previous activity (through
restoring main tasks from nonvolatile memory storage to main RAM
memory) in accordance with the task information stored in SRAM 440.
After the main tasks are loaded, the third state become effective
in which information retrieval and storage will be performed only
on the main RAM circuitry (via turning relay 316R on, but relay
214R off) so as to gain full operating speed. In the fourth state,
manual-operable button 381 switches relay 471R on so as to render
energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 instantly ready for
dialing out.
[0043] The operating instructions comprise the steps of (i)
determining if incoming information received from a remote
communication system (such as a computer or phone) requests any
data-forwarding or routing service, (ii) if yes, selectively
instructing communication circuit 450 or requesting the remote
communication system to further initiate another communication link
to another remote communication system in accordance with a
forwarding or routing instruction stored in SRAM 440, and (iii)
transmitting requested information or at least a message to the
another remote communication system (such as another computer,
pager, portable or mobile communication device). When carrying the
another remote communication system, a person becomes instantly
reachable for receiving any urgent electronic mails.
[0044] The operating instructions are further adapted to comprise
the steps of (i) requesting communication circuit 450 to be
actuated for receiving incoming information in response to a
communication signal (or ring), (ii) storing the incoming
information to another volatile memory means, (iii) checking if the
incoming information contains any virus, and (iv) if not, storing
the incoming information to SRAM 440 or hard-disk drive 240.
[0045] For the first time, energy-conserving communication
apparatus 400 can keep energy-conserving computer 300 alive and
ready for establishing instant and direct communications through
the power carried on the phone line 420T and 420R, thus totally
eliminating any energy (such as battery and AC power) waste.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 5, disclosed is a third primary
preferred embodiment of the present invention that is an
energy-conserving operating system for rendering an
energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 (or computer 300)
capable of selectively entering a keep-alive (i.e.,
energy-conserving) state in which only limited operating
instructions preferably including a communication program need to
be resident on keep-alive RAM circuitry, and a normal (i.e., main
operating) state in which operating instructions are fully loaded
to main RAM circuitry for execution. Note that "S" stands for
"Step" hereinafter and the energy-conserving operating system will
be discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4. Comprised in the
energy-conserving operating system is a set of keep-alive
instructions that can be hardwired to a ROM chip (i.e., nonvolatile
but non-changeable) or loaded to SRAM 440 through software
installation so as to be resident on the keep-alive memory
circuitry and readily executable by control circuit 430, once the
energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 is activated at the
first time (S501). When a wake-up signal (S502) is detected,
control circuit 430 further determines if it is a ring signal
(S503) and if a communication program is active (S504). If it is a
ring signal but no active communication program is available, a
communication program will be activated (S505) for establishing
communication. If SRAM 440 has enough storage for keeping the
communication program resident, S504 and S505 can be eliminated. In
case that SRAM 440 does not have enough storage, switchable
power-supply circuitry will be activated for allowing nonvolatile
or secondary storage (such as a hard-disk drive) to store incoming
information (S506-S508). Otherwise, the incoming information will
be preferably stored to SRAM 440 and the energy-conserving
operating system enters S509 for displaying the receiving of the
incoming information on an active screen. An optional step (S510)
is to activate an audio or video signal for alerting a user the
receiving of the incoming information. In case that the user is
away from energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 and is
reachable through an offline communication device, a data routing
service can be requested (S511). Then, a call to the offline
communication device will be initiated (S512). If the communication
task is completed (S513), switchable power-supply circuit 460 is
deactivated when needed (S522).
[0047] Should the wake-up signal be a power-up (including
manually-activated) signal, the energy-conserving operating system
is routed to S514 in which switchable power-supply circuit 460 is
activated. Then, task information stored in keep-alive memory will
allow a main operating system and previous tasks to be quickly
restored (S515 and S516) from nonvolatile memory storage to main
RAM circuitry, without going through the conventional tedious boot
process. Optionally shown in S517 is to validate logging password
before granting a user an access to the energy-conserving
communication apparatus 400. The user can also manually perform any
task and store new information to secondary memory storage (S518).
If no activity is detected in a predetermined period of time
(S519), the task information will be updated and stored to
keep-alive memory (S520) and a keyboard device is optionally locked
(S521). Finally, switchable power-supply circuit 460 is
deactivated, thus routing the process back to S502 for staying in
the keep-alive state of the present invention. Thus, the present
invention not only totally eliminates the conventional,
time-consuming, manual shutdown/booting processes but renders
energy-conserving communication apparatus 400 remotely accessible
for establishing instant and direct communications for the first
time.
[0048] In summary, the third primary preferred embodiment of the
present invention discloses an energy-conserving operating system
capable of selectively performing a keep-alive (or
energy-conserving) operation and a main (or normal) operation.
Specifically, comprised are the steps of (a) activating a set of
keep-alive operating instructions continuously operable for
governing when to activate a set of main operating instructions
that requires more random access memory than the set of keep-alive
operating instructions, so as to selectively enter an
energy-conserving state and a main operating state; (b) powering
down to the energy-conserving state in which the set of main
operating instructions is rendered inoperable, if selectively
detecting no activity for a preset period of time or detecting a
power-down signal; and (c) powering up to the main operating state
in which the set of main operating instructions is rendered
operable, if detecting a power-up signal. Preferably, the set of
keep-alive operating instructions is adapted to comprise a
communication program operable in the energy-conserving state
and/or the main operating state for requesting a keep-alive
communication circuit to be activated for detecting a ring signal.
The activating is adapted to load the set of keep-alive
instructions to keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry
(especially to a predetermined region or address) and wherein the
powering up is adapted to restore the main operating instructions
from nonvolatile memory storage to main random-access-memory
circuitry (especially to another predetermined region or address)
that can be powered selectively up or down. The set of keep-alive
operating instructions is adapted to create keep-alive task
information for restoring previous task activity when the powering
up is executed, the keep-alive task information being created,
updated, and saved to keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry
and/or nonvolatile memory storage before the powering down is
executed. Furthermore, the activating is adapted to load the set of
keep-alive instructions to keep-alive random-access-memory
circuitry and the powering up is adapted to enter (i) a first
operating state in which the set of main operating instructions
will be restored via actuating nonvolatile memory storage for
retrieving information therefrom to main random-access-memory
circuitry, (ii) a second operating state in which information
retrieval and storage will be limited to only the main
random-access-memory circuitry, so as to execute the main operating
instructions at full operating speed, and (iii) a third operating
state in which any newly modified files will be stored from the
main random-access-memory circuitry to the nonvolatile memory
storage in detection of the power-down signal. Preferably, the
powering down and the powering up are adapted respectively to
deactivate and to activate a switchable power-supply system for not
providing and for providing power to a plurality of circuit means
including main microprocessor circuitry and volatile memory
circuitry utilized for execution of the main operating
instructions, so as to enter the energy-conserving state and the
main operating state, respectively. The powering down is further
adapted to be executed after any newly modified files are stored to
nonvolatile memory storage. Further comprised are (i) a step of
allocating part of keep-alive random-access-memory circuitry for
storing incoming information to be received in the
energy-conserving state, (ii) a step of powering up to a
communication state in which a switchable power-supply system is
activated to provide a switchable power supply only to a switchable
communication circuit and nonvolatile memory storage for
respectively receiving and storing incoming information to be
received, if only a ring signal is detected, and (iii) a step of
allowing a user to request a forwarding or routing service.
[0049] By offering the keep-alive state, the third primary
preferred embodiment of the present invention eliminates any need
for larger RAM circuitry and powerful MP circuitry for use in the
keep-alive state, i.e., eliminating unnecessary energy waste on
unwanted generation of heat. Consequently, neither heat
dissipation, mechanical failure (possibly incurred by the
continuous rotation of a cooling fan), nor unpleasant noise will be
of any concern.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, a fourth primary preferred
embodiment of the present invention is an ISP (Internet service
provider) 600 for providing requested communication links initiated
from a remote computer (or communication device) 631 to an offline
remote computer (or communication device) 632 or 633 via the
Internet. The Internet is based on a TCP (transmission control
protocol) and IP (Internet protocol) family of protocols that
govern how online computers communicate with each other. A
conventional ISP only allows a PC to initiate communication with
the Internet for retrieving information therefrom or for
transmitting e-mails therethrough. This is a passive communication
because the conventional ISP cannot reach any conventional PC that
is neither powered on nor kept online continuously. Furthermore, a
conventional PC is designed to be shut down and offline if not to
be used for a prolonged period of time. Once shut down or offline,
neither the conventional PCs nor notebook computers is operable or
accessible from remote. For these reasons, none of the conventional
ISPs has suggested to provide an "impractical" service of sending a
ring signal for establishing communication to a conventional
offline PC.
[0051] With the advent of an energy-conserving computer (or
communication apparatus) disclosed hereinabove, for the first time,
the present invention provides a motive to demand an Internet
service provider (ISP) be able to dial out or to send a ring signal
for establishing a requested communication link. Thus, the third
primary preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide
a new type of ISP capable of initiating requested communication
links to any energy-conserving communication apparatuses or
computers of the present invention can be reached (for receiving
incoming information or for retrieving data stored therein) at any
time through the Internet without stays online. In contrast, any
conventional PC has to keep online, i.e., occupying a phone all the
time and incurring substantial energy waste, in order to be
reachable. provided is an energy-conserving computer or
communication that can be kept alive and readily accessible from
remote for establishing communication. Consequently,
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, ISP 600 has Internet communication
systems 610A and 610B each basically comprising an Internet
communication unit 601A or 601B connected an ISP backbone 605 (with
a speed up to 45 Mbs) at a separate location. ISP backbone 605 has
connectivity with an Internet backbone carrier site often at an MAE
(Metropolitan Area Exchange) 603 that further connects the Internet
at a NAP (Network Access Point) 604 currently with a bandwidth of
45-622 Mbs.
[0053] Comprised in Internet communication units 601 are Internet
communication circuitry, a control system, and operating
instructions. The Internet communication circuitry is adapted to be
operable (i) for establishing a first communication link
selectively initiated by a remote communication device (or
computer), and (ii) for selectively initiating a second
communication link (i.e., making an outgoing call) to an offline
remote communication device (or computer). The operating
instructions available to the control system are provided for
controlling an activity of the Internet communication circuitry,
especially in response to a request submitted from the remote
communication device to selectively initiate the second
communication link, i.e., to dial a phone number of the offline
remote communication device
[0054] Specifically, FIG. 6 shows that (i) remote computer 631
situated in Bloomfield (Mich.) has dialed into Internet
communication system 601A through a telephone line 640A at a local
call to establish a communication link 611A to ISP 600 and then to
the Internet, i.e., becoming online, and (ii) in response to a
request submitted from remote computer 631, ISP 600 instructs
Internet communication system 601B through ISP backbone and the
Internet to initiate a second communication link 611B through a
phone line 640B that is normally open to reach an offline remote
computer 632 situated in San Francisco (Calif.). Preferably,
Internet communication system 601B is situated at a location with
an area code corresponding to that of offline remote computer 632.
Note that offline remote computer 632 may be an apparatus selected
from the group consisting of server computers, desktop computers,
portable computers, notebook computers, wireless phones,
communication devices, and their combinations preferably each of
which is a type of energy-conserving computer of the present
invention, capable of being remotely waked up and dialed in through
an internal or external modem, ISDN (integrated services digital
network) adapter, DSL (digital subscriber line) modem, or cable
modem for establishing communication therebetween. The result is
that ISP 600 can now render an offline remote computer "online" at
need for establishing communication in accordance with a request of
the remote computer, for the first time. The immediate advantages
are (i) to establish a bi-directional communication from Bloomfield
(Mich.) to San Francisco (Calif.) at the rate of a local call or a
reduced rate, and more importantly (ii) to leave the phone lines
normally open for receiving an incoming call (either voice or
data).
[0055] The operating instructions are adapted to allow the control
system to instruct Internet communication circuitry to selectively
initiate second communication link 611B in response to the request
submitted from remote computer 631, so that remote computer 631 can
initiate communication with offline remote computer 632 via the
Internet. Further provided is a step of requesting Internet
communication system 610A or 610B to send a ring signal to actuate
offline remote computer 632 (i.e., an energy-conserving computer
300 of the present invention) from its keep-alive and offline state
to an operating and online state so as to establish communication
therebetween.
[0056] In case that remote computer 631 is a conventional one, the
operating instructions will be adapted to comprise the steps of (i)
determining if second communication link 611B can be established
within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 seconds), and (ii)
if not, requesting the Internet communication circuitry to send
signals (including a ring and message) to actuate a telephone 635
(i.e., another remote communication device) for alerting a user
selectively through audio or visual signals to manually actuate
offline remote computer 632 from a power-off state to an operating
state so as to establish communication therebetween.
[0057] Internet communication circuitry comprised in each of
Internet communication units 601 is further adapted to be operable
for establishing a plurality of the first communication links and
for initiating a plurality of the second communication links. Each
of the first communication links is directed to a respective one of
the second communication links, so that a plurality of the remote
computers can simultaneously utilize ISP 600 to dial out to reach a
plurality of the offline computers. Internet communication units
601 each further comprises a communication-link medium selected
from the group consisting of telephone lines 640, at least one
cable 641, at least one optical fiber (shown as ISP backbone 605),
at least one hybrid fiber coax 642, at least one radio frequency
channel, at least one cellular phone channel via cell stations 650,
at least one satellite communication channel via a satellite
communications system (including a satellite 670 and earth stations
671A and 671B), at least one terrestrial microwave channel, at
least one wireless communication channel, and their combinations
for transmitting information, so that the communication system can
be dialed in by a plurality of remote computers or communication
devices and can dial out to reach the plurality of offline remote
computers or communication devices through the communication-link
means for establishing communications via the Internet. The
frequency ranges of radio broadcasts (FM/TV), cellular, and
satellites are respectively 54-806, 825-890, and 2,000-40,000 MHz.
While communications satellites and terrestrial microwaves operate
in the same microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, the
microwaves of the latter travel in a line of sight between sending
and receiving stations.
[0058] A user can preset offline remote computer 632 to route the
information or message to another PC or a portable communication
device such as a cellular phone (or car phone) 634 moved from a
cell region 660A to a cell region 660B. Preferably, cellular phone
634 has a manual-operable button 635 designated for instantly
requesting a data routing service.
[0059] Internet communication systems 610 each further comprises
memory-storage means 602 serving as an POP (post office protocol)
server for storing information to be provided from remote computer
631 to the offline remote computer 632, or vice verse. The
operating instructions are adapted to allow remote computer 631 (or
remote communication device) to send the information to
memory-storage means 602 for storage and to request Internet
communication systems 610 to send a message to offline remote
computer 632 (or offline remote communication device) for instantly
notifying the presence of the information. Consequently, a user
will have a chance to preview the information before retrieving or
to prevent virus being sent directly to offline remote computer
632.
[0060] The operating instructions are adapted to comprising the
steps of (i) allowing remote computer 631 to send information to
memory-storage means 602 for storage, (ii) if completed, requesting
a selected one of communication units 601 to initiate second
communication link 611 B, and (iii) sending a message to offline
remote computer 632 to instantly notify the presence of the
information.
[0061] Further comprised in the operating instructions is a step of
automatically terminating second communication link 611B
selectively when remote computer 631 terminates the first or the
second communication link (611A or 611B), when communication units
601 completes the sending of the message to offline remote computer
632, or detects no activity second communication link 611B for a
preset period of time.
[0062] The discussion hereinabove also discloses a fifth primary
preferred embodiment of the invention, providing a method to allow
an ISP operable for establishing instant and direct communications
between remote communication devices. The method comprises the
steps of (a) providing an Internet communication system having a
plurality of Internet communication circuitry connected to the
Internet at separate locations, each of which being rendered
accessible by at least one remote communication apparatus each for
establishing a first communication link to the Internet; and (b)
rendering the plurality of Internet communication circuitry each
operable for dialing out to at least one offline communication
apparatus each for establishing a second communication link in
accordance with a request submitted from a respective one of the at
least one remote communication apparatus, so that the at least one
communication apparatus each can reach a respective one of the at
least one offline communication apparatus through a respective one
of the first communication links, the Internet, and a respective
one of the second communication links. Further comprised are the
steps of (i) instructing the Internet communication system to dial
out for establishing the second communication link at the rate of a
local call or a reduced rate, and (ii) providing a forwarding or
routing service.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 7, a sixth primary preferred
embodiment of the present invention is a communication operating
system to be discussed as follows in conjunction with an Internet
communication system (ICS) provided by an ISP as shown in FIG. 6.
Comprised in the communication operating system are instructions
made available to ISP 600 (S701) that allow a plurality of first
communication links to be requested by remote PCs (or remote
communication devices) and accordingly initiate at least a second
plurality of second communication links from ISP 600 to offline
remote PCs (or offline remote communication devices). To simplify
the illustration, only two sets of operation (S702a-S712a and
S702b-S712b) are displayed and only the former is discussed. S702a
determines if a first communication link is requested by a PC. If
yes, ICS allows the PC to establish the first communication link
therefrom so as to access the Internet. In response to a request
from the PC (S704a), ICS initiates a second communication link to
an offline remote PC (S705a). When a data routing service is
requested, ICS further initiates and establish a third
communication link from ISP 600 to another offline PC (S706a and
S707a). S708a and S709a respectively determine the activeness and
the termination status of the second and/or the third communication
link(s). If the second and/or the third communication link(s) be
terminated (S710a), the activeness of the first communication link
will be checked (S711a) and routed to S704a or terminated (S712a).
Finally, the process is routed back to S702a for establishing
another first communication link to be requested by another PC.
Thus, the communication operating system renders the ICS operable
for allowing a plurality of the remote PCs (or remote communication
devices) to reach another plurality of the offline remote PCs (or
offline remote communication devices). In other words, the
communication operating system leaves the phone lines normally open
while renders the "offline" remote PCs or communication devices
reachable for establishing communication.
[0064] In summary, the sixth primary preferred embodiment of the
present invention is to provide a communication operating system
for use in an Internet communication system, comprising the steps
of (a) allowing the Internet communication system to establish a
plurality of incoming communication links each to be initiated by a
remote communication apparatus to access the Internet; (b)
determining if the remote communication apparatuses each submits a
request for communicating further with an offline communication
apparatus; and (c) if yes, instructing the Internet communication
system to send an outgoing ring signal to a respective one of the
offline communication apparatuses accordingly so as to establish
another plurality of outgoing communication links. The
communication operating system may further afford a forwarding or
routing service.
[0065] Finally, it is clearly understood that such embodiments are
provided by way of illustration and example only and are not to be
taken by way of limitation as numerous variations, changes,
modification, and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the
art without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is
intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *