Apparatus and method for displaying PMS information in a portable computer

Claim 1

An apparatus for displaying power management information in a portable computer having a main information display monitor, said apparatus comprising: a video random access memory for storing said power management information comprised of data indicative of an operating mode and an operating level of a power management system of said portable computer, and data indicative of a remaining energy capacity of a battery used to provide operating power to said portable computer; a keyboard controller for providing output of a key signal corresponding to a key input provided by a user, and further providing output of a system interrupt signal; a power management system controller for providing output of a voltage signal corresponding to a sensed voltage of said battery; storage means for storing said data indicative of said operating mode and said operating level of said power management system of said portable computer at an initial set-up operation of said portable computer; a video controller for reading said power management information from said video random access memory and for enabling an on-screen display of said power management information as a preset data configuration on said main information display monitor in response to said key signal provided from said key board controller; and an operation controller for, in response to said system interrupt signal provided from said key board controller, reading said voltage signal from said power management system controller to detect said remaining energy capacity of said battery, reading said data indicative of said operating mode and said operating level of said power management system from said storage means, and controlling said video controller to enable the on-screen display of said power management information on said main information display monitor.

Claim 2

An apparatus for displaying power management information in a portable computer having a main information display monitor, said apparatus comprising: a video random access memory for storing said power management information comprised of data indicative of an operating mode and an operating level of a power management system of said portable computer, and data indicative of a remaining energy capacity of a battery used to provide operating power to said portable computer; a keyboard controller for providing output of a key signal corresponding to a key input provided by a user, and further providing output of a system interrupt signal; a power management system controller for providing output of a voltage signal corresponding to a sensed voltage of said battery; storage means for storing said data indicative of said operating mode and said operating level of said power management system of said portable computer at an initial set-up operation of said portable computer; a video controller for reading said power management information from said video random access memory and for enabling an on-screen display of said power management information as a preset data configuration on said main information display monitor in response to said key signal provided from said key board controller; and an operation controller for, in response to said system interrupt signal provided from said key board controller, reading said voltage signal from said power management system controller to detect said remaining energy capacity of said battery, reading said data indicative of said operating mode and said operating level of said power management system from said storage means, and controlling said video controller to enable the on-screen display of said power management information on said main information display monitor.

Claim 6

A method for displaying power management information stored in a video random-access-memory of a portable computer having a main information display monitor, comprising the steps of: performing an initializing operation in response to application of operating power to said portable computer; determining when a system interrupt is generated after performing said initializing operation; reading said power management information stored from said video random-access memory, said power management information comprising data indicative of an operating mode and an operating level of a power management system of said portable computer when said system interrupt indicates a key request by a user to provide an on-screen display of said power management information on said main information display monitor; sensing a remaining energy capacity of a battery used to provide the operating power to said portable computer; and providing said on-screen display of said operating mode, said operating level and said remaining capacity of said battery on said main information display monitor of said portable computer as a preset data configuration.

Claim 7

A method for displaying power management information stored in a video random-access-memory of a portable computer having a main information display monitor, comprising the steps of: performing an initializing operation in response to application of operating power to said portable computer; determining when a system interrupt is generated after performing said initializing operation; reading said power management information stored from said video random-access memory, said power management information comprising data indicative of an operating mode and an operating level of a power management system of said portable computer when said system interrupt indicates a key request by a user to provide an on-screen display of said power management information on said main information display monitor; sensing a remaining energy capacity of a battery used to provide the operating power to said portable computer; and providing said on-screen display of said operating mode, said operating level and said remaining capacity of said battery on said main information display monitor of said portable computer as a preset data configuration.

Claim 14

A method for displaying power management information in a computer system having a main information display monitor, comprising the steps of: receiving predetermined key inputs from a user requesting an on-screen display of said power management information first data indicative of an operating mode and an operating level of a power management system of said computer system, second data indicative of a remaining energy capacity of a battery used to provide operating power to said computer system, and third data indicative of whether one of said battery and an alternating current adapter is being used to provide the operating power to said computer system; obtaining said first data from a first storing unit; obtaining said second data by sensing a voltage level exhibited by said battery; storing said power management information in a second storing unit; and providing said on-screen display of said power management information as a preset data configuration on said main information display monitor of said computer system.

Claim 15

A method for displaying power management information in a computer system having a main information display monitor, comprising the steps of: receiving predetermined key inputs from a user requesting an on-screen display of said power management information first data indicative of an operating mode and an operating level of a power management system of said computer system, second data indicative of a remaining energy capacity of a battery used to provide operating power to said computer system, and third data indicative of whether one of said battery and an alternating current adapter is being used to provide the operating power to said computer system; obtaining said first data from a first storing unit; obtaining said second data by sensing a voltage level exhibited by said battery; storing said power management information in a second storing unit; and providing said on-screen display of said power management information as a preset data configuration on said main information display monitor of said computer system.