WAKE-ON-RING

'Wake-on-Ring' (WOR), sometimes referred to as Wake-on-Modem (WOM), is a specification that allows supported computers and devices to "wake up" from a "soft off" state, and begin operation.
The basic premise is that a special signal is sent over phone lines to the computer through its modem, telling it to fully power-on and begin operation. Common uses were archive databases and BBSes, although hobbyist use was significant.
Fax machines use a similar system, in which they are mostly idle until receiving an incoming fax signal, which spurs operation.
This style of remote operation has mostly been supplanted by Wake-on-LAN, which is newer but works in much the same way.

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Additional Resources

Additional Resources

★ "Wake on Modem" entry from Smart Computing Encyclopedia