US5969438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic apparatus having a power supply unit that can switch between internal and external power sources
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1998-03-09
•
Granted: 1999-10-19
•
Expires: 2018-03-09
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an electric power supplying unit for use in an electronic apparatus and includes an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of the electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source. An internal AC adapter is accommodated into the body of the electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source. An AC power source input detection circuit is provided within the internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to the internal AC adapter. The power supply unit further includes power source switching circuit responsive to the detection output of the AC power source input detection circuit for switching the power supply to the electronic apparatus from the output of the external AC adapter to the output of the internal AC adapter.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigefumi Odaohara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:03
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/865; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/263; H02J7/60; H02J7/663
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An electric power supplying unit for use in an electronic apparatus comprising: an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source; an internal AC adapter accommodated into the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source; an AC power source input detection means provided within said internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to said internal AC adapter; power source switching means responsive to the detection output of said AC power source input detection means for switching the power supply to said electronic apparatus from the output of said external AC adapter to the output of said internal AC adapter; and wherein said output of said internal AC adapter is directly connected to said electronic apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electric power supplying unit for use in an electronic apparatus comprising: an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source; an internal AC adapter accommodated into the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source; an AC power source input detection means provided within said internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to said internal AC adapter; power source switching means responsive to the detection output of said AC power source input detection means for switching the power supply to said electronic apparatus from the output of said external AC adapter to the output of said internal AC adapter; and wherein said output of said internal AC adapter is directly connected to said electronic apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electric power supplying unit of claim 1, wherein said electronic apparatus includes a DC inlet for detachably connecting said external AC adapter to the exterior of said electronic apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electric power supplying unit of claim 1, wherein said AC power source input detection means outputs a detection signal generated by a voltage which is in turn generated by the AC power source input to said internal AC adapter and said power source switching means disconnects the output of said external AC adapter from said electronic apparatus in response to the detection signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electric power supplying unit of claim 2, wherein said AC power source input detection means outputs a detection signal generated by a voltage which is in turn generated by the AC power source input to said internal AC adapter and said power source switching means disconnects the output of said external AC adapter from said electronic apparatus in response to the detection signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
A portable electronic apparatus comprising: an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source; an internal AC adapter accommodated into the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving the external AC power source; a DC/DC converter for level converting the DC output of said external AC adapter or said internal AC adapter; a system load driven by the DC output of said DC/DC converter; an AC power source input detection means provided within said internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to said internal AC adapter; power source switching means responsive to the detection output of said AC power source input detection means for switching the power source to said DC/DC converter from the output of said external AC adapter to the output of said internal AC adapter; and wherein said output of said internal AC adapter is directly connected to said DC/DC converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
A portable electronic apparatus comprising: an external AC adapter externally connected to the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving an external AC power source; an internal AC adapter accommodated into the body of said electronic apparatus for receiving the external AC power source; a DC/DC converter for level converting the DC output of said external AC adapter or said internal AC adapter; a system load driven by the DC output of said DC/DC converter; an AC power source input detection means provided within said internal AC adapter for detecting whether the external AC power source is input to said internal AC adapter; power source switching means responsive to the detection output of said AC power source input detection means for switching the power source to said DC/DC converter from the output of said external AC adapter to the output of said internal AC adapter; and wherein said output of said internal AC adapter is directly connected to said DC/DC converter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The portable electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein said electronic apparatus includes a DC inlet for detachably connecting said external AC adapter to the exterior of said electronic apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The portable electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein said AC voltage input detection means outputs a detection signal at the ground level by the voltage generated by the AC power source which is input to said internal AC adapter, and said power source switching means disconnects the output of said external AC adapter from said electronic apparatus in response to the detection signal at the ground level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The portable electronic apparatus of claim 6, wherein said AC voltage input detection means outputs a detection signal at the ground level by the voltage generated by the AC power source which is input to said internal AC adapter, and said power source switching means disconnects the output of said external AC adapter from said electronic apparatus in response to the detection signal at the ground level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4879624A
Cited
US5138184A
Cited
US5140511A
Cited
US5245220A
Cited
US5781422A
Cited
US5811895A
Cited
US5675245A
Cited
US5715156A
Cited
US5886424A
Cited
US5771161A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |