A power supply control system for a computer

Claim 2

A power supply control system for a computer, the computer having a central processing unit (CPU) (11), and being operable in response to power supplied from chargeable batteries (31 A,B) or an alternating current adapter (29) comprising: charge circuit means (311, 310) coupled between the adapter (29) and the batteries (31A, B) for charging the battery (31 A, B); a power control microprocessor (306) for controlling the charge circuit means (311) independently of the CPU (11); detection means (312, 314) coupled to the microprocessor (306) for supplying status signals thereto corresponding to a plurality of conditions of the adapter (29), the batteries (31A, B) or the charge circuit means (311, 310); the microprocessor (306) including means responding to the status signals for generating control signals to control the charge circuit means (311, 310).

Claim 3

The control system of claim 1, wherein the computer includes a plurality of switches (301, 302, 303, 304), each switch controlling a predetermined function of the operation of the computer, and the control system further comprises input/output circuit means (305) for detecting the ON/OFF state of each of the plurality of switches (301, 302, 303, 304), and supplying corresponding ON/OFF signals to the microprocessor (306).

Claim 4

The control system of claim 2, wherein the computer includes a display cover (401) having a closed position and an open position, an expansion unit (40) being provided for optional connection to the computer, and the plurality of switches (301, 302, 303, 304) includes a power switch (301) for indicating the ON/OFF state of the power supply, a reset switch (302) for indicating a system initialization, a display switch (303) for indicating whether the display cover (401) is in the closed position, and a mode switch (304) for indicating the connection of the expansion unit (40) to the computer.

Claim 5

The control system of claim 1, wherein the computer includes a back-up RAM (19), a video RAM (25) and a timer module (17), and the chargeable batteries (31A,B) comprise a main battery (31A) for supplying power to the computer, and a sub-battery (31 B) for supplying a back-up voltage to the back-up RAM (19), the video RAM (25) and the timer module (17) in the computer.

Claim 6

The control system of claim 1, wherein the charge circuit means comprises a charge unit (311) for controlling the voltage from the alternating current adapter (29) to the chargeable battery (31 A), and a digital-to-analog converter (310) coupled to the charge unit (311) for converting the control signals from the microprocessor (306) into analog signals.

Claim 7

The control system of claim 1, wherein the detection means comprises a detector (312) for detecting a current flowing from the charge unit (311) to the chargeable battery (31 A), and an analog-to-digital converter (316) for converting voltage values from the chargeable battery (31A) and the alternative current adapter (29) and current values detected by the first and second current detectors (312, 314) into digital.

Claim 8

A power saving system for indicating status of voltage and current in a computer system to an operator, comprising: means (312, 314) for monitoring status of the voltage from an alternating current adapter (29) and a plurality of chargeable battery (31A, B) and the current flowing into at least current detectors (312, 314), and changing reference voltage and current values in accordance with detected voltage and current values; comparison means (306) for comparing the detected voltage and current values with the reference voltage and current values and means (309), coupled to a plurality of display elements (L1, L2, L3), for displaying the status of voltage and current at present in accordance with signal from the comparison means, whereby the display element (L2) are arranged to indicate a low battery status when the detected voltage value is below the reference voltage value and a voltage abnormality status when the voltage abnormalities occur.

Claim 9

A power saving system for indicating status of voltage and current in a computer system to an operator, comprising: means (312, 314) for monitoring status of the voltage from an alternating current adapter (29) and a plurality of chargeable battery (31A, B) and the current flowing into at least current detectors (312, 314), and changing reference voltage and current values in accordance with detected voltage and current values; comparison means (306) for comparing the detected voltage and current values with the reference voltage and current values and means (309), coupled to a plurality of display elements (L1, L2, L3), for displaying the status of voltage and current at present in accordance with signal from the comparison means, whereby the display element (L2) are arranged to indicate a low battery status when the detected voltage value is below the reference voltage value and a voltage abnormality status when the voltage abnormalities occur.

Claim 10

The power saving system according to claim 7, wherein the display elements (L1, L2, L3) are LED constituted by two colors, and indicate three kinds of status in accordance with the display means (309).

Claim 11

The power saving system according to claim 7, wherein the display means (309) has a LED driver (309) for controlling the LEDs (L1, L2, L3) to indicate the status of voltage and current in accordance with signals from the comparison means (306) through a parallel input/output interface (305).

Claim 12

The power saving system according to claim 1, further comprising an internal bus (307) for transmitting signals from the detection means (312, 314) to the power control microprocessor (306), and from the power control microprocessor (306) to the charge circuit means (311, 310).

Claim 13

The power saving system according to claim 10, wherein the internal bus (307) is connected the power control microprocessor (306) and a serial input / output interface (317) for changing parallel data into serial data, and the serial inputoutput interface (317) is connected a interface to communicate with a main CPU (11) through a system bus (10), whereby the power control microprocessor (306) may be not controlled by the main CPU's (11) clock speed.

Claim 14

The power saving system according to claim 1 and 7, wherein the computer system comprising: a computer body (402) having a computer for processing data: a display cover (401) swingable on the computer body (402); a keyboard (31) on the computer body (402); a switch (403) switchable in according with a swing state of the display cover (401 the keyboard (31) and the switch being connected to the computer body (402); at least one electrically operated visible indicia (L1, L2, L3) formed to indicate status of the components actuated in the computer system in a corner part of the computer body's (402) rectangle, which is formed by the rear top surface (1 c) and the flat edge surface (1d) on the computer body (402).

Claim 15

A safety device for preventing an operator from accidentally operating a push button switch (301) a wall (1a) surrounding the push button switch (301) and projecting beyond the top surface of push button switch (301) and the surfaces (405, 1e) on the computer body (402).

Claim 16

A safety device for preventing an operator from accidentally operating a push button switch (301) a wall (1a) surrounding the push button switch (301) and projecting beyond the top surface of push button switch (301) and the surfaces (405, 1e) on the computer body (402).

Claim 17

A personal computer system comprising: a data processing assembly including, a central processing unit (11), program storage means (12, 13) for storing programs for controlling the central processing unit (11) and data processing results, a backup memory (10) for storing data to be saved at the time of a save operation, a keyboard (36) for entering, data and commands, a display means (24) for displaying processing results by performed the central processing unit (11) and status of supplying an power supply into each of components in a computer system, including at least one visual indicia (L1, L2, L3), an alternating current adapter (29), a power supply control section including, at least one rechargeable battery (31 A, B), charge circuit means (311, 310), coupled to the alternating current adapter (29), for controlling a power supply supplied from the alternating current adapter (29) to the chargeable battery (31 A), coupled to the alternating current adaptor (29), power supply circuit means (315. 322, 326) for generating a number of power supply voltages to be supplied from the rechargeable battery (31 A) and the charge circuit means (311, 310) to each of the components in the computer system, a power control microprocessor (306) for controlling the charge circuit means (311, 310) and coupled to the charge circuit means (311, 310) and the computer system through a serial transmission path, detection means (312, 314), coupled to the power control microprocessor (306), for sending signals indicating the current status of the rechargeable battery (31A) and the charge circuit means (311, 310) to the power supply circuit (315, 322, 326), the power control microprocessor (306) further having means for acknowledging signals of the current status, and for sending a signal to control the power supply to the charge circuit means (311, 310) in response to the signals from the acknowledging means.

Claim 18

A personal computer system comprising: a data processing assembly including, a central processing unit (11), program storage means (12, 13) for storing programs for controlling the central processing unit (11) and data processing results, a backup memory (10) for storing data to be saved at the time of a save operation, a keyboard (36) for entering, data and commands, a display means (24) for displaying processing results by performed the central processing unit (11) and status of supplying an power supply into each of components in a computer system, including at least one visual indicia (L1, L2, L3), an alternating current adapter (29), a power supply control section including, at least one rechargeable battery (31 A, B), charge circuit means (311, 310), coupled to the alternating current adapter (29), for controlling a power supply supplied from the alternating current adapter (29) to the chargeable battery (31 A), coupled to the alternating current adaptor (29), power supply circuit means (315. 322, 326) for generating a number of power supply voltages to be supplied from the rechargeable battery (31 A) and the charge circuit means (311, 310) to each of the components in the computer system, a power control microprocessor (306) for controlling the charge circuit means (311, 310) and coupled to the charge circuit means (311, 310) and the computer system through a serial transmission path, detection means (312, 314), coupled to the power control microprocessor (306), for sending signals indicating the current status of the rechargeable battery (31A) and the charge circuit means (311, 310) to the power supply circuit (315, 322, 326), the power control microprocessor (306) further having means for acknowledging signals of the current status, and for sending a signal to control the power supply to the charge circuit means (311, 310) in response to the signals from the acknowledging means.

Claim 19

Apparatus for controlling efficiently a power supply for different components of a computer system by a power control microprocessor (306), comprising means (312, 814) for detecting the state of the power supply; means (306) for determining an operational state of a power-switch (301); means (306) for counting up to a certain number in accordance with the determination result and means (306) for adjusting the output of the power supply in accordance with the counted result.

Claim 20

Apparatus for controlling efficiently a power supply for different components of a computer system by a power control microprocessor (306), comprising means (312, 814) for detecting the state of the power supply; means (306) for determining an operational state of a power-switch (301); means (306) for counting up to a certain number in accordance with the determination result and means (306) for adjusting the output of the power supply in accordance with the counted result.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the determination means includes means (306) for detecting a logical state of the power-switch (301) by a parallel input / output interface (305), means (305) for transmitting the logical state of the power-switch (301) to the microprocessor (306) through the parallel input / output interface (305), and means (306) for determining the logical state by the microprocessor (306) in response to the transmission.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the counter means includes a carry counter (306), including the microprocessor (306), for counting up to a maximum number.

Claim 25

A method according to claim 18, wherein the controlling step including: detecting (A8) voltage of the charge unit (311) for controlling the power supply from the AC adapter (29) to the rechargeable battery (31 A); comparing (A8) reference voltage with the voltage's value; and indicating (A2)the voltage status of the charge unit (311) in accordance with the comparison results.

Claim 26

A method according to claim 18, wherein the controlling step including: comparing (A9) reference current with the detected current; and reducing (A10) the output voltage of the charge unit (311) if the detected current is lower than the reference voltage.

Claim 27

A method according to claim 18, wherein the controlling step including: comparing (A9) reference current with detected current; and increasing (A11) the output voltage of the charge unit (311) if the detected current is higher than the reference current's value.

Claim 28

A method according to claim 18, wherein the controlling step including: detecting (A6) the charge current flowing from the charge unit (311) to the rechargeable battery (31 A); comparing the detected current with a reference current range (A6) and indicating (A7) status of the charging current if the detected current is within the reference current range

Claim 29

A method according to claim 18, further comprising steps of: detecting the voltage (A1) of the battery (31 A); comparing (A3) voltage with a reference voltage and indicating (A2) status of the chargeable battery (31 A) in accordance with the comparison results.

Claim 30

A method according to claim 18, further comprising: detecting (A4) input voltage of the AC adapter (29); comparing (A4) the output voltage with a reference voltage; and indicating (A2, A5) the output voltage status of the AC adapter (29) in accordance with the comparison results.

Claim 31

A method according to claim 19, 22, 23 and 24, wherein the indicating step includes a step (A2, A5, A7) of generating a light control signal from the power control microprocessor (306) to the visible indicia (L2, L3) through a parallel input/output interface (305), which represent the operating state of the computer system.

Claim 32

A method according to claim 25, wherein the visible indicia (L2, L3) includes means (309) for displaying at least two colours.

Claim 33

A method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of: comparing (A15) the counter value with a reference value; and advancing (B1) processes to supply the power supply to the components in the computer system (1) in accordance with comparison result.

Claim 36

A method according to claim 28, wherein the determining step includes the steps of: determining (B7) whether a system power off command has been received; determining (B8) whether a command has been received to turn a back-light off; and generating (B9) back light off signal in accordance with the determination result.

Claim 37

A method according to claim 28, wherein the step of determining status of the rechargeable battery (31 A) includes steps of: determining (B11) the status of a charging current for the battery (31 A); controlling (B13) the charging current flowing from the AC adapter (29) to the rechargeable battery (31 A) in accordance with the determination results; and determining (B12) status of the discharge current flowing from the battery (31 A) to the components in the computer system (1); indicating (B26) the status of dischargeable current in accordance with the determination result.

Claim 38

A method according to claim 30, in which the the step of determining the status of the rechargeable battery (31 A) includes steps of: detecting (B14) the voltage of the battery (31 A): comparing (B14, B15) the detected voltage with a reference value; determining (B14, 15) whether or not the battery (31A) voltage is low in accordance with the comparison result and indicating (B16) the low battery (31A) state in accordance with the determination result.

Claim 39

A method according to claim 31. wherein the determining step includes steps of: transmitting (B21) a power-off-request-signal from the microprocessor (306) to main CPU (11) when the detected voltage is below the reference level.

Claim 40

A method according to claim 28, further comprising the steps of: detecting (B17) the output voltage of the AC adapter (29); comparing (B17, B18) the detected voltage with a reference voltage, and indicating (B19, B26) state of the output voltage in accordance with the comparison result.

Claim 41

A method according to claim 30, 31 and 33, wherein the indicating step includes a step of generating a light control signal from the power control microprocessor (306) to the visible indicia (L2, L3) through a parallel input/output interface (305), which represents the operating state of the computer system (1).

Claim 42

A method according to claim 34, wherein the visible indicia (L2, L3) include means for displaying at least two colors.

Claim 43

A method according to claim 28, further comprising the steps of: transmitting (B21) power-off-request-signal from the microprocessor (306) to main CPU (11) after counting up a certain number, interrupting (B27) a currently-running program in the main CPU (11); saving (B27) information necessary to continue the interrupted program in the main CPU (11); transmitting (B27) a power off-command signal from the main CPU (11) to the microprocessor (306) after saving the information; and switching off (B27) power supply by means of the microprocessor (306).

Claim 46

A method according to claim 37, wherein the determining step includes steps of: detecting (B23) the logical state of the power switch (301), via a parallel input / output interface (305); transmitting (B23) the logical state of the power switch (301) to the microprocessor (306) through the parallel input / output interface (305); and determining (B23) the logical state by means of the microprocessor (306) in response to the transmission.

Claim 47

A power supply control system for a computer, the computer having a CPU (11), a power-on-switch (301 and being operable in response to power supplied from rechargeable batteries (31A, B) or an alternating current adapter (29), a display cover (401) pivotable on a computer body (402), and a display switch (303) controlled in accordance with the postion of the display cover (401 comprising power supply circuit means (315, 322, 326) coupled to the battery (31A) for supplying the power to each of the computer components: a power control microprocessor (306) coupled to the power-on-switch (301) and the display switch (303) for controlling the power supplied from the battery (31 A) independently of the CPU (11); the microprocessor (306) including first means for determining an ON/OFF state of the switches (301, 302, 303, 304) and second means for determining the operational state of the computer, and further including means for sending a control signal in accordance with the first and second determination results; and means (322, 326) coupled to the microprocessor (306) for controlling ON / OFF condition of the power supply circuit means (315, 322, 326) in accordance with control signals from the sending means (306).

Claim 48

A power supply control system for a computer, the computer having a CPU (11), a power-on-switch (301 and being operable in response to power supplied from rechargeable batteries (31A, B) or an alternating current adapter (29), a display cover (401) pivotable on a computer body (402), and a display switch (303) controlled in accordance with the postion of the display cover (401 comprising power supply circuit means (315, 322, 326) coupled to the battery (31A) for supplying the power to each of the computer components: a power control microprocessor (306) coupled to the power-on-switch (301) and the display switch (303) for controlling the power supplied from the battery (31 A) independently of the CPU (11); the microprocessor (306) including first means for determining an ON/OFF state of the switches (301, 302, 303, 304) and second means for determining the operational state of the computer, and further including means for sending a control signal in accordance with the first and second determination results; and means (322, 326) coupled to the microprocessor (306) for controlling ON / OFF condition of the power supply circuit means (315, 322, 326) in accordance with control signals from the sending means (306).

Claim 49

The power supply control system of claim 39, wherein the power supply circuit means includes a direct current-to -direct current converter (315) for generating the various voltage levels supplied to each of computer components.

Claim 50

The power supply control system of claim 39, where the second determination means includes means (306) for determining whether the computer is in use.

Claim 53

The method of claim 42, wherein the controlling step includes the step of: generating (B1) a power-on control signal when the computer is in a power-off condition and the display cover (401) is open and the power-on-switch (301) is on; and switching (B1) the computer to the power-on condition in accordance with the control signal.

Claim 54

The method of claim 42, wherein the controlling step includes the step of: generating (B216) a power-off control signal wnen the computer is in the power-on condition and the display cover (401) is open and the power-on-switch (301) is on; and changing (B27) the computer to the power-off condition in accordance with the control signal.