KR20070028821A - Power controlling circuit, modem having the power controlling circuit, and communication system having the modem - Google Patents

Abstract

A power control circuit, an external modem having the same, and a communication system having the same are provided to reduce power consumption of the external modem by automatically switching off power of the external modem when a LAN signal is not inputted. A power control circuit includes a signal detection signal(311), and an output control circuit(315). The signal detection signal(311) detects a LAN signal inputted through a signal input node and outputs a detection signal according to a detection result. The output control circuit(315) controls to output external power inputted through a power input node to a power output node in response to the detection signal. The signal detection circuit(311) outputs a detection signal having a first state in case that the LAN signal inputted through the signal input node has a first level. The signal detection circuit(311) outputs a detection signal having a second state in case that the signal inputted through the input node has a second level. The output control circuit(315) outputs internal power to the power output node based on the external power inputted to the power input node in response to the detection signal having the first state. The output control circuit(315) outputs the external power inputted through the power input node to the power output node in response to the detection signal having the second state.

Description

Power control circuit, an external modem having the power control circuit, a communication system having the external modem {Power controlling circuit, modem having the power controlling circuit, and communication system having the modem}

The detailed description of each drawing is provided in order to provide a thorough understanding of the drawings cited in the detailed description of the invention.

1 shows a block diagram of a system including a modem and a computer having a power supply control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an operation timing diagram of the power supply control circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

4 is a block diagram of a system including a modem and a computer including a power supply control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an operation timing diagram of the power supply control circuit according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

6 shows a block diagram of a communication system having a modem according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a power control circuit, and more particularly, a power control circuit and a power control method capable of detecting whether a LAN signal is input, an external modem having the power control circuit, and a communication system having the external modem. And a data communication method using the communication system.

In general, a modem or modulator / demodulator converts a digital signal output from a computer into an analog signal (called modulation) and converts an input analog signal into a digital signal. Ju is a device (called demodulation).

The modem is an external modem that can be used by connecting to a computer through a serial port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, or a local area network (LAN) port, and an expansion card type that can be plugged into an expansion slot of a PC. There is a modem. In addition, there is a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card type modem used in notebook computers and the like, and recent modems provide not only data transmission and reception, but also voice and fax functions.

The external modem has a problem in that power is consumed when the computer is turned off or when a cable connecting the LAN card of the computer and the external modem is disconnected, that is, whether or not a LAN signal is output from the LAN card of the computer. .

Accordingly, a technical problem of the present invention is to provide an external modem to which power is applied only when a LAN signal is output from a LAN card of a user's computer and a power control circuit for detecting the LAN signal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication system including the external modem and a data communication method using the data communication system.

The power supply control circuit used in the modem for achieving the above technical problem is provided with a signal detection circuit and an output control circuit. The signal detection circuit detects a LAN signal input through the signal input terminal and outputs a detection signal according to the detection result. The output control circuit controls the output of the external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal.

The signal detecting circuit outputs a detection signal having a first state when the LAN signal input through the signal input terminal has a first level, and outputs a detection signal having a first state when the signal input through the input terminal has a second level. Outputs a detection signal with two states. The output control circuit outputs internal power based on external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal having the first state to the power output terminal, and in response to the detection signal having the second state. The external power inputted to the power input terminal is blocked from being output to the power output terminal. Preferably, the output control circuit is a switch for switching the power input terminal and the power output terminal in response to the detection signal.

The power supply control circuit according to the present invention includes a signal detection circuit, a timing adjustment circuit, and an output control circuit. The signal detection circuit detects a signal input through a signal input terminal and outputs a detection signal according to the detection result. The timing adjustment circuit receives the detection signal and controls the timing of outputting the detection signal. The output control circuit controls the output of the external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal output from the timing adjusting circuit.

The external modem according to the present invention detects an input signal input through a signal input terminal and outputs a detection signal according to a detection result, and an external power source inputted to a power input terminal in response to the detection signal. An output control circuit for controlling the output to the output, and a chip set output from the output control circuit receives the internal power based on the external power.

The external modem according to the present invention has a signal detecting circuit for detecting an input signal input through a signal input terminal and outputting a detection signal according to a detection result, and a timing adjusting circuit for receiving the detection signal and controlling an output time point of the detection signal. An output control circuit for controlling output of external power input to a power input terminal to a power output terminal in response to a detection signal output from the timing adjusting circuit, and an internal power source output from the output control circuit and based on the external power source; It is provided with a chip set supplied with.

The signal detection circuit outputs a detection signal having a first state when the input signal is input through the signal input terminal connected to a LAN card of a computer to which a predetermined power is supplied, and the power of the computer is turned off or When the LAN card of the computer and the signal input terminal are separated, a detection signal having a second state is output. The output control circuit outputs internal power based on external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal having the first state to the power output terminal, and in response to the detection signal having the second state. The external power inputted to the power input terminal is blocked from being output to the power output terminal.

A data communication system according to the present invention includes a server providing a data communication service, a converter connected to the server through a first UTP cable, an external modem connected through a telephone line with the converter, and a second modem through a second UTP cable. A signal detection circuit for detecting an input signal input through a signal input terminal connected with the second UTP cable and outputting a detection signal according to a detection result; An output control circuit for controlling the output of the external power inputted to the power input terminal to the power output terminal in response thereto, and a chip set outputted from the output control circuit and receiving the internal power based on the external power. The converter exchanges predetermined data with the server through the first UTP cable, or Send and receive predetermined data with the external modem via a telephone line.

A data communication system according to the present invention includes a server providing a data communication service, a converter connected to the server through a first UTP cable, an external modem connected through a telephone line with the converter, and a second modem through a second UTP cable. A signal detecting circuit having a LAN card of a computer to be connected, wherein the external modem detects an input signal input through a signal input terminal connected to the second UTP cable and outputs a detection signal according to a detection result; A timing control circuit for receiving a signal and controlling an output time point of the detection signal, an output control circuit for controlling output of an external power input to a power input terminal in response to a detection signal output from the timing control circuit; And an internal power source output from the output control circuit and based on the external power source. A receiver chip set is provided, and the converter exchanges predetermined data with the server through the first UTP cable or exchanges predetermined data with the external modem through the telephone line.

The method for controlling power supplied to an external modem according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving an external power supply from the external modem, detecting a LAN signal to which the external modem is input, and if the LAN signal is detected, the external modem. The external modem may be continuously supplied with the internal power based on the external power, and if the LAN signal is not detected, the external modem may block the external power.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a data communication method includes connecting a converter to a server providing a data communication service through a first UTP cable, connecting the converter and an external modem through a telephone line, and connecting the external modem to a second UTP cable. Connecting a computer having a LAN card, supplying external power to the external modem, and the computer and the server exchange predetermined data via the first UTP cable, the telephone line, and the second UTP cable. And supplying external power to the external modem includes: receiving the external power supply from the external modem, detecting a LAN signal to which the external modem is input, and if the LAN signal is detected, The external modem continues to receive the internal power based on the external power and the LAN signal. If it does not detect the external modem is provided with the step of blocking the external power supply.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 shows a block diagram of a system having a modem and a computer with a power supply control circuit according to a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a power control method according to an embodiment of the invention. 3 is an operation timing diagram of the power supply control circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

1 to 3, the structure and operation of the power supply control circuit 310 and the modem 300 including the power supply control circuit 310 will be described below.

The system 100 according to the present invention includes a computer 200 having a LAN card 210 and a modem 300 having a power supply control circuit 310. The modem 300 is preferably an xDSL external modem.

The modem 300 includes a power supply control circuit 310, a voltage regulator 320, a processor 330, a memory 340, and an LED 350. The power control circuit 310 is configured to convert the internal power supply IPW to the voltage regulator 320, the processor 330, and the memory according to whether the LAN signal SIG output from the LAN card 210 of the computer 200 is detected. 340, and whether to supply to the LED (350).

The power supply control circuit 310 includes a signal detection circuit 311 and an output control circuit 315. The signal detection circuit 311 detects the level of the LAN signal SIG or LAN signal SIG input through a signal input terminal (not shown) (S110), and detects the detection signal DET according to the detection result. Output The output control circuit 315 receives the external power PW input to the power input terminal (not shown) in response to the detection signal DET and outputs the internal power IPW to the power output terminal (not shown). To control. The external power source PW is output as the internal power source IPW.

Predetermined power is supplied to the LAN card 210 of the computer 200, the signal input terminal of the power control circuit 310 and the LAN card 210 are normally connected through a predetermined cable, and the LAN card 210 When the LAN signal SIG outputted from the input signal is input to the signal detection circuit 311 through the signal input terminal, that is, the normal LAN signal SIG having the first level is sent to the signal detection circuit 311. When input, the signal detection circuit 311 outputs a detection signal DET having a first state (eg, low voltage, or logic '0').

Accordingly, the output control circuit 315 outputs the external power PW input to the power input terminal as the internal power source IPW to the power output terminal in response to the detection signal DET having the first state (S120). ). In this case, the voltage regulator 320, the processor 330, the memory 340, and the LED 350 each perform normal operation based on the internal power source IPW output from the power output terminal of the output control circuit 315. Perform.

The voltage regulator 320 outputs a voltage having a constant voltage level based on the internal power source IPW (for example, 5V) output from the output control circuit 315. The processor 330 controls the overall operation of the modem 300 in response to the voltage output from the voltage regulator 320 and is a part of the overall set of chip sets that control the transmission and reception of data. Can be.

The memory 340 is a memory that stores predetermined data in response to the voltage output from the voltage regulator 320 and may be implemented as a flash ROM. The LED 350 is an example of a display device indicating that an internal power supply IPW is supplied to the modem 300 in response to the voltage output from the voltage regulator 320.

However, even when the power supplied to the LAN card 210 of the computer 200 is turned off or the power is normally supplied to the LAN card 210 of the computer 200, the LAN card 210 and the power control circuit are provided. When the cable connection between the input terminals of 310 is broken, when the normal LAN signal SIG is not input to the signal detection circuit 311, the signal detection circuit 311 enters a second state (e.g., high). A detection signal DET having a voltage or logic '1' is output.

The output control circuit 315 blocks the output of the internal power source IPW input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal DET having the second state (S130). Therefore, the internal power supply IPW of 0V is output from the power supply output terminal. In this case, operations of the voltage regulator 320, the processor 330, the memory 340, and the LED 350 operating based on the internal power source IPW are turned off.

The output control circuit 315 may be implemented as a switching circuit for switching the power input terminal and the power output terminal in response to the detection signal DET.

4 is a block diagram of a system including a modem and a computer including a power supply control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 4, the power supply control circuit 310 ′ shown in FIG. 4 further includes a timing adjustment circuit 313 as compared to the power supply control circuit 310 shown in FIG. 1.

The timing adjusting circuit 313 controls a time point at which the detection signal DET transitions from the first state (logical 'low') to the second state (logical 'high'). Therefore, the timing adjustment circuit 313 may be implemented as a predetermined delay circuit.

5 is an operation timing diagram of the power supply control circuit according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The operation of the power supply control circuit according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 as follows.

The signal detection circuit 311 of the power supply control circuit 310 'detects the level of the LAN signal SIG input through the signal input terminal (S110).

When the LAN signal SIG having a normal level is input to the power supply control circuit 310 ', the signal detection circuit 311 of the power supply control circuit 310' outputs the detection signal DET having the first state. do. Therefore, the timing adjustment circuit 313 outputs the delay detection signal DDET having the first state to the output control circuit 315.

The output control circuit 315 supplies the internal power source IPW given in the specification to at least one of the voltage regulator 320, the processor 330, the memory 340, and the LED 350 (S120).

However, when the LAN signal SIG having a normal level is not input to the power supply control circuit 310 ', for example, the LAN signal SIG having a 0V level is the signal detection circuit 311 of the power supply control circuit 310'. When the input power is input to the power supply, that is, when the power supplied to the computer 200 is turned off, the power control circuit 310 'generates a detection signal DET having a second state. Therefore, the timing adjusting circuit 313 receives the detection signal DET having the second state, delays it for a predetermined time, and outputs the delay detection signal DDET having the second state to the output control circuit 315.

The output control circuit 315 is an internal power supply IPW supplied to the voltage regulator 320, the processor 330, the memory 340, and the LED 350 in response to the delay detection signal DDET having the second state. Block (S130). Therefore, even when the external power PW is supplied to the modem 300, the internal power IPW is cut off.

If the predetermined cable connecting the LAN card 210 and the signal input terminal of the computer 200 is removed, the LAN card 210 and the signal input terminal of the computer 200 are connected again with the predetermined cable. In this case, the power supply control circuit 310 or 310 'may adjust the internal power supply IPW to the voltage regulator 320, the processor 330, the memory 340, and the LED according to whether the LAN signal SIG is detected (S110). 350 may be supplied again (S120).

6 shows a block diagram of a communication system having a modem according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, a data communication method through the communication system and the communication system will be described below.

The data communication system 400 includes a server 410 for providing a data communication service, a converter 420 connected to the server 410 through a first UTP cable, and the present invention connected to the converter 420 through a telephone line. XDSL external modem 300, and the LAN card 210 of the computer 200 is connected to the xDSL external modem 300 via a second UTP cable.

Each of the first UTP cable and the second UTP cable is preferably 10/100 Base-T (category 3, 4, or 5 UTP cable), but is not limited thereto.

The converter 420 is, for example, an xDSL converter, and the converter 420 receives data output from the server 410 through the first UTP cable and receives the received data to the external modem 300 through a telephone line. Transmit or receive data output from the external modem 300 through the telephone line, and transmit the received data to the server 410 through the first UTP cable.

The telephone line is a general telephone line that provides a voice call service. A splitter (not shown) for separating a voice communication frequency band and a data communication frequency band may be connected to a front end of the server 410 and the modem 300. Therefore, the voice call service and the data communication service can be simultaneously serviced through the telephone line.

The external modem 300 according to the present invention detects a LAN signal SIG input through a signal input terminal connected to the second UTP cable and outputs a detection signal DET according to a detection result. 311, an output control circuit 315 for controlling the output of the external power PW input to the input terminal as an internal power source IPW to the output terminal in response to the detection signal DET, and the output control circuit And a chip set 330 that receives an internal power source IPW from 315. The chip set 330 is also called a modem chip.

The external modem 300 according to the present invention further includes a timing adjusting circuit 313 for receiving the detection signal and controlling an output time point of the detection signal.

The external modem 300 according to the present invention receives an external power PW, detects an input LAN signal SIG, and when the LAN signal is detected, uses the external power PW as an internal power IPW. If the LAN signal SIG is not detected, the internal power supply IPW is cut off.

The data communication system 400 according to the present invention connects the converter 420 to a server 410 that provides a data communication service through a first UTP cable, and the converter 420 and the external modem 300 through a telephone line. And a computer 200 including the external modem 300 and the LAN card 210 through a second UTP cable.

Therefore, when an internal power supply (IPW) is supplied to the external modem 300 in the data communication system, the computer 200 and the server 410 may be connected to each other through the first UTP cable, the telephone line, and the second UTP cable. Send and receive data.

At this time, the external modem 300 according to the present invention receives the external power PW, detects the input LAN signal SIG, and when the LAN signal SIG is detected, based on the external power PW. When the internal power source IPW is continuously supplied and the LAN signal SIG is not detected, the internal power source IPW is blocked even when the external power source PW is supplied.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

As described above, the modem including the power control circuit and the power control circuit according to the present invention has an effect of automatically shutting off the power of the modem when the computer to which the modem is connected is turned off.

Therefore, the power of the modem to which no LAN signal is input is automatically turned off, thereby reducing the power consumed by the modem.

In addition, since the power supply of the modem to which the LAN signal is not input is automatically turned off, there is an effect that the service life of the modem can be extended by preventing an overload on the modem.

Since the data communication system according to the present invention uses an existing telephone line, it is unnecessary to install additional cables for providing data communication services. The data communication system according to the present invention guarantees an excellent transmission distance compared to a LAN.

Claims (12)

In the power supply control circuit used for the modem, A signal detection circuit for detecting a LAN signal input through the signal input terminal and outputting a detection signal according to the detection result; And And an output control circuit for controlling output of external power inputted to a power input terminal to a power output terminal in response to the detection signal. The method of claim 1, The signal detecting circuit outputs a detection signal having a first state when the LAN signal input through the signal input terminal has a first level, and outputs a detection signal having a first state when the signal input through the input terminal has a second level. Outputs a detection signal having two states, The output control circuit outputs internal power based on external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal having the first state to the power output terminal, and in response to the detection signal having the second state. And a power control circuit used for a modem to block external power inputted through a power input terminal from being output to the power output terminal. The power supply control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said output control circuit is a switch for switching said power input terminal and said power output terminal in response to said detection signal. In the power supply control circuit, A signal detection circuit for detecting a signal input through the signal input terminal and outputting a detection signal according to the detection result; A timing adjusting circuit which receives the detection signal and controls an output time point of the detection signal; And And an output control circuit for controlling output of external power inputted to a power input terminal to a power output terminal in response to a detection signal output from the timing adjustment circuit. In an external modem, A signal detection circuit for detecting an input signal input through the signal input terminal and outputting a detection signal according to the detection result; An output control circuit for controlling the output of the external power input to the power output terminal in response to the detection signal; And And a chip set outputted from the output control circuit and receiving an internal power source based on the external power source. In an external modem, A signal detection circuit for detecting an input signal input through the signal input terminal and outputting a detection signal according to the detection result; A timing adjusting circuit which receives the detection signal and controls an output time point of the detection signal; An output control circuit for controlling the output of the external power inputted to the power input terminal to the power output terminal in response to the detection signal output from the timing adjusting circuit; And And a chip set outputted from the output control circuit and receiving an internal power source based on the external power source. The method according to claim 5 or 6, The signal detection circuit outputs a detection signal having a first state when the input signal is input through the signal input terminal connected to a LAN card of a computer to which a predetermined power is supplied, and the power of the computer is turned off or Outputting a detection signal having a second state when the LAN card of the computer and the signal input terminal are separated, The output control circuit outputs internal power based on external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal having the first state to the power output terminal, and in response to the detection signal having the second state. External modem to block the external power input to the power input terminal to be output to the power output terminal. In a data communication system, A server providing a data communication service; A converter connected to the server via a first UTP cable; An external modem connected to the converter via a telephone line; And A LAN card of a computer connected to the external modem via a second UTP cable; The external modem, A signal detection circuit detecting an input signal input through a signal input terminal connected to the second UTP cable and outputting a detection signal according to a detection result; An output control circuit for controlling the output of the external power input to the power output terminal in response to the detection signal; And A chip set output from the output control circuit and receiving an internal power source based on the external power source, And the converter exchanges predetermined data with the server through the first UTP cable or exchanges predetermined data with the external modem through the telephone line. In a data communication system, A server providing a data communication service; A converter connected to the server via a first UTP cable; An external modem connected to the converter via a telephone line; And A LAN card of a computer connected to the external modem via a second UTP cable; The external modem, A signal detection circuit detecting an input signal input through a signal input terminal connected to the second UTP cable and outputting a detection signal according to a detection result; A timing adjusting circuit which receives the detection signal and controls an output time point of the detection signal; An output control circuit for controlling output of an external power input to a power input terminal in response to a detection signal output from the timing adjusting circuit; And A chip set outputted from the output control circuit and receiving an internal power source based on the external power source, And the converter exchanges predetermined data with the server through the first UTP cable or exchanges predetermined data with the external modem through the telephone line. The method according to claim 8 or 9, The signal detection circuit outputs a detection signal having a first state when the input signal is input through the signal input terminal connected to a LAN card of a powered computer, and the computer is turned off or the computer is turned off. Outputs a detection signal having a second state when the LAN card and the input terminal are separated, The output control circuit outputs internal power based on external power input to the power input terminal in response to the detection signal having the first state to the power output terminal, and in response to the detection signal having the second state. And a data communication system for blocking external power inputted through a power input terminal from being output to the power output terminal. In the method for controlling the power supplied to the external modem, The external modem being supplied with external power; Detecting a LAN signal from the external modem; And When the LAN signal is detected, the external modem is continuously supplied with internal power based on the external power, and when the LAN signal is not detected, the external modem is disconnected from the external power supply. How to control the power supplied. In the data communication method, Connecting the converter to a server providing a data communication service via a first UTP cable; Connecting the converter and an external modem via a telephone line; Connecting a computer including the external modem and a LAN card through a second UTP cable; Supplying external power to the external modem; And The computer and the server may be configured to exchange predetermined data through the first UTP cable, the telephone line, and the second UTP cable. Supplying external power to the external modem, Receiving, by the external modem, the external power; Detecting a LAN signal from the external modem; And And when the LAN signal is detected, the external modem continues to receive internal power based on the external power, and when the LAN signal is not detected, the external modem blocks the external power supplied. .

Images