Patent US5477129A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5477129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Charge level display method and apparatus for a battery of an electronic device
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1993-11-22
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer is positionable between an open condition in which an input device and an output device thereof is exposed to a user of the portable computer, and a closed condition in which the input device and the output device is protectively stowed within the portable computer, and further with the portable computer having an "on" state of operation and an "off" state of operation. The portable computer includes a battery, and a display for indicating charge levels of the battery, wherein the display is visible to the user in the open condition and in the closed condition. The portable computer further includes a mechanism for operating the display when the portable computer is in the "on" state of operation and in the "off" state of operation. Moreover, the display is operated to continuously indicate charge levels during the entire "on" state of operation as well as during the entire "off" state of operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore A. Myslinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1637; G06F1/1647; G06F1/165; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/70; H02J7/80; H02J7/82; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3648; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A portable computer which is positionable between an open condition in which an input device and an output device are exposed to a user of the portable computer, and a closed condition in which the input device and the output device is protectively stowed within the portable computer, and with the portable computer having an "on" state of operation and an "off" state of operation, comprising: a battery; a display for indicating charge levels of said battery, wherein said display is visible to the user in the open condition and in the closed condition; and means for operating said display when the portable computer is in the "on" state of operation and in the "off" state of operation, wherein said operating means comprises a circuit which polls said battery, recurring at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the portable computer in order to determine charge levels of said battery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A portable computer which is positionable between an open condition in which an input device and an output device are exposed to a user of the portable computer, and a closed condition in which the input device and the output device is protectively stowed within the portable computer, and with the portable computer having an "on" state of operation and an "off" state of operation, comprising: a battery; a display for indicating charge levels of said battery, wherein said display is visible to the user in the open condition and in the closed condition; and means for operating said display when the portable computer is in the "on" state of operation and in the "off" state of operation, wherein said operating means comprises a circuit which polls said battery, recurring at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the portable computer in order to determine charge levels of said battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The portable computer of claim 1, wherein said display continuously indicates charge levels during the entire "off" state of operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable computer of claim 2, wherein said battery is discharging when the portable computer is in the "off" state of operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A portable computer having an "on" state of operation and an "off" state of operation, comprising: a battery; a display for indicating charge levels of said battery; and means for operating said display when the portable computer is in the "on" state of operation and in the "off" state of operation, wherein said display continuously indicates the charge levels during the entire "off" state of operation of the portable computer, and wherein said operating means comprises a circuit which polls said battery, recurring at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the portable computer in order to determine the charge levels of said battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
A portable computer having an "on" state of operation and an "off" state of operation, comprising: a battery; a display for indicating charge levels of said battery; and means for operating said display when the portable computer is in the "on" state of operation and in the "off" state of operation, wherein said display continuously indicates the charge levels during the entire "off" state of operation of the portable computer, and wherein said operating means comprises a circuit which polls said battery, recurring at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the portable computer in order to determine the charge levels of said battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
The portable computer of claim 4, further comprising an input device and an output device, wherein the portable computer is positionable between an open condition in which the input device and the output device are exposed to a user of the portable computer, and a closed condition in which the input device and the output device is protectively stowed within the portable computer, and further wherein said display is visible to the user when the portable computer is positioned in the open condition and in the closed condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable computer of claim 4, wherein the battery is discharging when the portable computer is in the "off" state of operation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for displaying a charge level of a battery which is coupled to an electronic device to power operation of the electronic device, comprising the steps of: displaying the charge level of the battery when the electronic device is in an "on" state of operation; and displaying the charge level of the battery when the electronic device is in an "off" state of operation, wherein the "off" state displaying step comprises the step of displaying the charge level of the battery during the entire "off" state of operation of the electronic device, wherein the "off" state displaying step further comprises the step of polling the battery, which recurs at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the electronic device in order to determine the charge level of the battery.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for displaying a charge level of a battery which is coupled to an electronic device to power operation of the electronic device, comprising the steps of: displaying the charge level of the battery when the electronic device is in an "on" state of operation; and displaying the charge level of the battery when the electronic device is in an "off" state of operation, wherein the "off" state displaying step comprises the step of displaying the charge level of the battery during the entire "off" state of operation of the electronic device, wherein the "off" state displaying step further comprises the step of polling the battery, which recurs at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the electronic device in order to determine the charge level of the battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the electronic device is a portable computer which has an input device and an output device, and wherein the portable computer is positionable between an open condition in which the input device and the output device are exposed to a user of the portable computer, and a closed condition in which the input device and the output device is protectively stowed within the portable computer, and further wherein said display is visible to the user when the portable computer is positioned in the open condition and in the closed condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the "off" state displaying step occurs during battery discharging.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A battery charge level indicator that displays a charge level of a battery which is coupled to an electronic device to power operation of the electronic device, comprising: a display for indicating the charge level of the battery; and means for operating said display when the electronic device is in an "on" state of operation and in an "off" state of operation, wherein said operating means comprises a microprocessor which polls said battery, recurring at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the electronic device in order to determine the charge level of said battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A battery charge level indicator that displays a charge level of a battery which is coupled to an electronic device to power operation of the electronic device, comprising: a display for indicating the charge level of the battery; and means for operating said display when the electronic device is in an "on" state of operation and in an "off" state of operation, wherein said operating means comprises a microprocessor which polls said battery, recurring at a regular interval of time, during the "off" state of operation of the electronic device in order to determine the charge level of said battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
The battery charge level indicator of claim 10, wherein the electronic device is a portable computer which has an input device and an output device, and wherein the portable computer is positionable between an open condition in which the input device and the output device are exposed to a user of the portable computer, and a closed condition in which the input device and the output device is protectively stowed within the portable computer, and further wherein said display is visible to the user when the portable computer is positioned in the open condition and in the closed condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The battery charge level indicator of claim 10, wherein the display continuously indicates the charge level during the entire "off" state of operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The battery charge level indicator of claim 12, wherein the battery is discharging when said device is in the "off" state of operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |