Portable computer/radio power management system

Claim 2

An electrical power management element comprising: radio transmitter means for transmitting packets of data; first power supply means, rechargeable, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the radio transmitter means; second power supply means, self-contained, for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to recharge the first power supply means; means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by the radio transmitter means; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to charge the first power supply means by an amount substantially equal to the discharge occurring during the previous transmission of the packet of data, to thereby preserve the energy in the second power supply means by replacing only the energy used by the first power supply means during the previous transmission and not fully recharging the first power supply means after every transmission.

Claim 3

A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first power supply means comprises a first rechargeable battery.

Claim 4

A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the second power supply means comprises the internal power supply of a portable computer.

Claim 5

A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of activating the switch means further comprises the step of recharging the first power supply means by an amount equal to the drain during an average transmission.

Claim 6

A system as defined in claim 4 wherein the switching means further comprises first means for converting the voltage of the second power supply means to the voltage of the first power supply means.

Claim 7

A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the first converting means comprises a DC-to-DC voltage converter.

Claim 8

A system as defined in claim 3 wherein the second power supply means further comprises an AC power source.

Claim 9

A system as defined in claim 7 further comprising means for converting power derived from the AC power source to 5 VDC.

Claim 10

A system as defined in claim 8 wherein the converting means comprises a DC converter and a DC voltage regulator.

Claim 11

A system as defined in claim 9 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises: determining whether power is being supplied to the system from the AC power source or from the personal computer power supply; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the AC power source to the first power supply means whenever power is being supplied to the system from the AC power source, otherwise activating the switch means to switch power output from the personal computer power supply to the first power supply means whenever power is being supplied to the system by the personal computer power supply but not by the AC power source, so as to recharge the first power supply means.

Claim 12

An electrical power management system comprising: radio transmitter means for transmitting packets of data; first power supply means, rechargeable, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the radio transmitter means; second power supply means, self-contained, for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to recharge the first power supply means; means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; processor means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by the radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; computing a recharging time and power equal to the time and power required for the second power supply means to recharge the first power supply means so as to restore electrical energy to the first power supply means in an amount substantially equal to the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; activating the switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to restore said electrical energy; and program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 13

An electrical power management system comprising: radio transmitter means for transmitting packets of data; first power supply means, rechargeable, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the radio transmitter means; second power supply means, self-contained, for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to recharge the first power supply means; means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; processor means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by the radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; computing a recharging time and power equal to the time and power required for the second power supply means to recharge the first power supply means so as to restore electrical energy to the first power supply means in an amount substantially equal to the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; activating the switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to restore said electrical energy; and program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 14

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the radio transmitter means comprises a packet-switched data radio.

Claim 15

A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the first power supply means comprises a first rechargeable battery.

Claim 16

A system as defined in claim 13 wherein the first rechargeable battery has a higher power output than the second power supply means.

Claim 17

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the first power supply means comprises a capacitor.

Claim 18

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the second power supply means comprises the internal power supply of a personal computer.

Claim 19

A system as defined in claim 16 wherein the personal computer power supply has a lower power capacity than that of the first power supply means.

Claim 20

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the voltage of the first power supply means is different from the voltage of the second power supply means.

Claim 21

A system as defined in claim 18 wherein the switching means further comprises first means for converting the voltage of the second power supply means to the voltage of the first power supply means.

Claim 22

A system as defined in claim 19 wherein the first converting means comprises a DC-to-DC voltage converter.

Claim 23

A system as defined in claim 16 wherein the second power supply means further comprises an AC power source.

Claim 24

A system as defined in claim 21 further comprising means for converting power derived from the AC power source to 5 VDC.

Claim 25

A system as defined in claim 22 wherein the converting means comprises a DC converter and a DC voltage regulator.

Claim 26

A system as defined in claim 23 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises: determining whether power is being supplied to the system from the AC power source and from the personal computer power supply; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the AC power source to the first power supply means whenever power is being supplied to the system from the AC power source, otherwise activating the switch means to switch power output from the personal computer power supply to the first power supply means whenever power is being supplied to the system by the personal computer power supply but not by the AC power source, so as to recharge the first power supply means.

Claim 27

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the processor means comprises a programmable microprocessor.

Claim 28

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the deriving step further comprises the steps of: measuring the average rate at which the radio transmitter means consumes power during the transmission of the packet of data and the duration of the transmission of the packet of data; and multiplying the average energy consumption rate by the duration of the transmission.

Claim 29

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the first power supply means comprises a capacitor having a capacitor storage voltage that is higher than the operating voltage of the second power supply means.

Claim 30

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the processor receives power from the second power supply means.

Claim 31

A system as defined in claim 11 further comprising an initializing step comprising the steps of: detecting an electrical energy level stored in the first power supply means; activating the switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to said first power supply means when the energy level of the first power supply means is less than a first predetermined energy level so as to recharge the first power supply means to said energy level; and deactivating the switch means to stop power output from the first power supply means to the second power supply means so as to stop recharging the first power supply means.

Claim 32

A system as defined in claim 29 wherein the detecting step comprises the step of placing an electrical test load on the first power supply means and measuring the voltage level on said means to compute the electrical energy level of the first power supply means.

Claim 33

A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises the steps of: monitoring the voltage level of the second power supply means; and modifying the power drain on the second power supply by adjusting the switch means to ensure the voltage level of the second power supply means does not become less than a predetermined voltage level.

Claim 34

An electrical power management system comprising: an electrical appliance having a predetermined power demand; first self-contained rechargeable power supply means, having a first power capacity that is equal to or greater than the predetermined power demand, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the appliance; second self-contained rechargeable power supply means, having a second power capacity that is less than the predetermined power demand for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to intermittently recharge the first power supply means; voltage converter switch means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means and for converting the voltage output by the second power supply means to the voltage output by the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; processor means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to restore said electrical energy in an amount substantially equal to the amount of energy used during transmission of the packet of data; and program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 35

An electrical power management system comprising: an electrical appliance having a predetermined power demand; first self-contained rechargeable power supply means, having a first power capacity that is equal to or greater than the predetermined power demand, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the appliance; second self-contained rechargeable power supply means, having a second power capacity that is less than the predetermined power demand for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to intermittently recharge the first power supply means; voltage converter switch means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means and for converting the voltage output by the second power supply means to the voltage output by the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; processor means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to restore said electrical energy in an amount substantially equal to the amount of energy used during transmission of the packet of data; and program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 36

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the appliance comprises a packet-switched data radio.

Claim 37

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the first power supply means comprises a first rechargeable battery.

Claim 38

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the first power supply means comprises a capacitor.

Claim 39

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the second power supply means comprises the internal power supply of a personal computer.

Claim 40

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the voltage of the first power supply means is different than the voltage of the second power supply means.

Claim 41

A system as defined in claim 36 wherein the second power supply means further comprises an AC power source.

Claim 42

A system as defined in claim 38 further comprising means for converting power derived from the AC power source to 5 VDC.

Claim 43

A system as defined in claim 39 wherein the converting means comprises DC converter and a DC voltage regulator.

Claim 44

A system as defined in claim 38 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises: determining whether power is being supplied to the system from the AC power source and from the personal computer power supply; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the AC power source to the first power supply means whenever power is being supplied to the system from the AC power source, otherwise activating the switch means to switch power output from the personal computer power supply to the first power supply means whenever power is being supplied to the system by the personal computer power supply but not by the AC power source, so as to recharge the first power supply means.

Claim 45

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the processor means comprises a programmable microprocessor.

Claim 46

A system as defined in claim 42 wherein the microprocessor receives power from the second power supply means.

Claim 47

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the deriving step further comprises the steps of: measuring the average rate at which the radio transmitter means consumes power during the transmission of the packet of data and the duration of the transmission of the packet of data; and multiplying the average energy consumption rate by the duration of the transmission.

Claim 48

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises the step of initializing the first power supply means each time the radio transmitter means is turned on.

Claim 49

A system as defined in claim 45 wherein the initializing step further comprises the steps of: detecting an electrical energy level stored in the first power supply means; activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to said first power supply means when the energy level of the first power supply means is less than a first predetermined energy level so as to recharge the first power supply means to above said level; and deactivating the voltage converter switch means to stop power output from the first power supply means to the second power supply means so as to stop recharging the first power supply means.

Claim 50

A system as defined in claim 46 wherein the detecting step comprises the step of placing an electrical test load on the first power supply means and measuring the voltage level on said means to compute the electrical energy level of the first power supply means.

Claim 51

A system as defined in claim 32 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises the steps of: monitoring the voltage level of the second power supply means; and modifying the power drain on the second power supply by adjusting the voltage converter switch means to ensure the voltage level of the second power supply means does not become less than a first predetermined voltage level.

Claim 52

An electrical power management system for use with a portable personal computer and a computer peripheral, wherein the portable personal computer has a peripheral port powered by an internal battery powered power supply and wherein the peripheral requires power that exceeds the peak power capacity of the peripheral port supply but the average power requirements of the peripheral are less than the average power capacity of the peripheral power supply, the electrical power management system comprising: first power supply means for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the peripheral; means for switching electrical current output from the peripheral port supply of the personal computer to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; processor means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the internal power supply of the personal computer to the first power supply means to restore said electrical energy in an amount substantially equal to the derived amount of electrical energy consumed during transmission of the pocket of data; and program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 53

An electrical power management system for use with a portable personal computer and a computer peripheral, wherein the portable personal computer has a peripheral port powered by an internal battery powered power supply and wherein the peripheral requires power that exceeds the peak power capacity of the peripheral port supply but the average power requirements of the peripheral are less than the average power capacity of the peripheral power supply, the electrical power management system comprising: first power supply means for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the peripheral; means for switching electrical current output from the peripheral port supply of the personal computer to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; processor means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the internal power supply of the personal computer to the first power supply means to restore said electrical energy in an amount substantially equal to the derived amount of electrical energy consumed during transmission of the pocket of data; and program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 54

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the peripheral comprises a packet-switched data radio.

Claim 55

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the first power supply means comprises a capacitor.

Claim 56

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the voltage of the first power supply means is different than the voltage of the internal power supply.

Claim 57

A system as defined in claim 52 wherein the switching means further comprises first means for converting the voltage of the internal power supply to the voltage of the first power supply means.

Claim 58

A system as defined in claim 53 wherein the first converting means comprises a DC-to-DC voltage converter.

Claim 59

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the processor means comprises a programmable microprocessor.

Claim 60

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the deriving step comprises the steps: measuring the average rate at which the radio transmitter means consumes power during the transmission of the packet of data and the duration of the transmission of the packet of data; and multiplying the average energy consumption rate by the duration of the transmission.

Claim 61

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the processor receives power from the internal power supply.

Claim 62

A system as defined in claim 51 wherein the storage voltage of the capacitor is greater than the operating voltage of the internal power supply.

Claim 63

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises the step of initializing the first power supply means each time the radio transmitter means is turned on.

Claim 64

A system as defined in claim 59 wherein the initializing step further comprises the steps of: detecting an electrical energy level stored in the first power supply means; activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to said first power supply means when the energy level of the first power supply means is less than a first predetermined energy level so as to recharge the first power supply means to above said level; and deactivating the voltage converter switch means to stop power output from the first power supply means to the second power supply means so as to stop recharging the first power supply means.

Claim 65

A system as defined in claim 60 wherein the detecting step comprises the step of placing an electrical test load on the first power supply means to compute the electrical energy level of the first power supply means.

Claim 66

A system as defined in claim 49 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises the steps of: monitoring the voltage level of the second power supply means; and modifying the power drain on the second power supply by adjusting the voltage converter switch means to ensure the voltage level of the second power supply means does not become less than a first predetermined voltage level.

Claim 67

An electrical power management system comprising in combination: a packet-switched data radio having a predetermined power demand and incorporating a first rechargeable battery having a power capacity equal to or greater than the predetermined power demand and having a first voltage rating, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the packet-switched data radio; a portable personal computer incorporating a peripheral port powered by an internal battery powered power supply, said port having a power capacity less than the predetermined power demand and having a second voltage rating for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to intermittently recharge the first power supply means; voltage converter switch means, electrically coupled to both the first and second rechargeable batteries, for switching electrical current output from the second rechargeable battery to the first rechargeable battery and for converting the voltage output by the second rechargeable battery to the voltage output by the first rechargeable battery so as to recharge the first rechargeable battery; a programmable microprocessor, receiving power supplied from the second rechargeable battery, for controlling the recharging of the first rechargeable battery by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: initializing the first power supply means each time the radio transmitter means is turned on, the initializing step comprising the steps of: detecting an electrical energy level stored in the first power supply means; activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to said first power supply means when the energy level of the first power supply means is less than a first predetermined energy level so as to recharge the first power supply means; and deactivating the voltage converter switch means to stop power output from the first power supply means to the second power supply means so as to stop recharging the first power supply means; replacing the electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter following each transmission cycle, the replacing step comprising the steps of: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumer by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; and activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to restore said electrical energy; program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 68

An electrical power management system comprising in combination: a packet-switched data radio having a predetermined power demand and incorporating a first rechargeable battery having a power capacity equal to or greater than the predetermined power demand and having a first voltage rating, for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the packet-switched data radio; a portable personal computer incorporating a peripheral port powered by an internal battery powered power supply, said port having a power capacity less than the predetermined power demand and having a second voltage rating for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to intermittently recharge the first power supply means; voltage converter switch means, electrically coupled to both the first and second rechargeable batteries, for switching electrical current output from the second rechargeable battery to the first rechargeable battery and for converting the voltage output by the second rechargeable battery to the voltage output by the first rechargeable battery so as to recharge the first rechargeable battery; a programmable microprocessor, receiving power supplied from the second rechargeable battery, for controlling the recharging of the first rechargeable battery by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: initializing the first power supply means each time the radio transmitter means is turned on, the initializing step comprising the steps of: detecting an electrical energy level stored in the first power supply means; activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to said first power supply means when the energy level of the first power supply means is less than a first predetermined energy level so as to recharge the first power supply means; and deactivating the voltage converter switch means to stop power output from the first power supply means to the second power supply means so as to stop recharging the first power supply means; replacing the electrical energy consumed by the radio transmitter following each transmission cycle, the replacing step comprising the steps of: detecting the transmission of a packet of data by radio transmitter means; deriving the amount of electrical energy consumer by the radio transmitter means during transmission of the packet of data; and activating the voltage converter switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to restore said electrical energy; program memory means for storing machine-readable instructions utilized by said processor means to carry out said set of programmed steps.

Claim 69

A system as defined in claim 63 wherein the set of programmed steps further comprises the steps of: monitoring the voltage level of the second power supply means; adjusting the voltage converter switch means to ensure the voltage level of the second power supply means does not become less than a first predetermined voltage level; repeating the monitoring step until the voltage of the second power supply means is not less than the first predetermined voltage level; and reenabling the voltage converter switch means.

Claim 70

An electrical power management system comprising: radio transmitter means for transmitting packets of data; first power supply means for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the radio transmitter means; second power supply means for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to recharge the first power supply means; means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of data by the radio transmitter means; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to charge the first power supply means by an amount substantially equal to the discharge occurring during transmission of the data packets thereby preserving the energy in the second power supply means by replacing the energy used by the first power supply means during transmission.

Claim 71

An electrical power management system comprising: radio transmitter means for transmitting packets of data; first power supply means for storing electrical energy and supplying power to the radio transmitter means; second power supply means for storing electrical energy and supplying electrical current to recharge the first power supply means; means for switching electrical current output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means so as to recharge the first power supply means; means for controlling the recharging of the first power supply means by performing a set of programmed steps comprising: detecting the transmission of data by the radio transmitter means; and activating the switch means to switch power output from the second power supply means to the first power supply means to charge the first power supply means by an amount substantially equal to the discharge occurring during transmission of the data packets thereby preserving the energy in the second power supply means by replacing the energy used by the first power supply means during transmission.